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Entries with the tag: Jimmy+Howard

Jimmy Howard Finally Arrives

by Paul on 09/07/09 at 08:19 AM ET
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from Chris McKosky of the Detroit News,

“There are people out there who think (Howard) is a washout,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “But I like to bring goalies along slowly because I know how important that position is. I don’t want to go through growing pains with a 23-year-old. I am trying to avoid putting players in the NHL and have them learn how to play pro hockey while we’re losing.”

Holland feels Howard’s apprenticeship is over, as do general managers throughout the league. Holland said he had to deflect a lot of interest in Howard at last year’s trade deadline.

“I just had to keep working hard,” said Howard, who says he never felt the organization bailed on him. “I never had a bad meeting with Ken. It was always positive, so I knew in the back of my mind that I’d be up here one day. Now the door is open and I have to walk right through.”

Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Jimmy+Howard,

How Do You Feel About An Osgood/Howard Tandem?

by Paul on 06/29/09 at 08:42 AM ET
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from George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press,

The Red Wings weren’t sure if Jimmy Howard was ready to play 25 regular season games in the NHL last season. They hope he’s ready now.

The Wings have decided not to offer a contract to Ty Conklin, who ended up playing 40 games last season and winning 25.

The Wings are out of options with Howard, who has played four seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League. Howard, signed through 2010-11, is due to make $717,700 this season.

continued

For some reason, I see Holland dangling Howard in some trade talk in the next few weeks.

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Tags: Jimmy+Howard,

Howard Still In Wings Plans & Filppula Close To Signing

by Paul on 07/22/08 at 05:23 AM ET
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from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Jimmy Howard hasn’t been lost in the shuffle. The Red Wings signed Howard to a three-year, $2.15 million contract Monday and still view their top draft pick from 2003 as the heir apparent to Chris Osgood.

“We’re banking on him being one of our goalies of the future,’’ Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “Chris Osgood has three years left on his contract and in those three years we hope Jimmy Howard is pushing Chris Osgood for the starting job.’’…

Nill said the club is close to signing its last two restricted free agents, forward Valtteri Filppula and defenseman Kyle Quincey. Filppula’s deal will range from between two and five years and Quincey’s from one to three years, Nill said.

“We’re making good progress (with Filppula),’’ Nill said. “We think we’ll be able to avoid arbitration (on Aug. 1).’’

Backing Up Osgood

by Alanah McGinley on 06/10/08 at 08:57 AM ET
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From Ansar Khan at MLive,

“I think Jimmy Howard is very close, if not there, to playing in the NHL,” Holland said. “I’m guessing Ozzie can play 50 games, maybe more. The 20-30 games that Chris doesn’t play in a parity league, those are key points. The hardest thing is, we’re trying to continue to be a Cup contender. How do you move young people into your team at a key position?”

Even if the Red Wings anticipate Howard being the backup, they are likely to pursue a low-priced, experienced goalie, in the wake of Dominik Hasek’s retirement.

more on signing Brad Stuart, Mike Babcock, etc

Update 9:20am ET: More from Bruce MacLeod at Macomb Daily, on various Detroit business
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*hat-tip to Spector who has more on this and other NHL rumors today

Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: chris+osgood, jimmy+howard,