• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Player Profiles

Hungry Howie: Jimmy Howard’s Appetite for Excellence

By Andrew Johnson November 16th, 2011

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard (Icon SMI)

Boasting an 8-4-1 record and a tied-for-league-best 3 shutouts, Jimmy Howard is attracting attention from around the league much like he did during his rookie campaign 2 seasons ago, and at just $2.25 million a year, many would argue that he’s a bargain. With top-notch starters around the league making triple (or even quadruple in the case of Flyers’ netminder Ilya Bryzgalov) his salary this season, Howard’s numbers certainly don’t reflect his pay. In fact just a quick look at the NHL’s statistical leaders finds the 3rd year player in the top 5 of all 4 major goaltending categories, and while this may come as a surprise to many, it doesn’t to anyone in the Detroit Red Wings franchise.

“I would say everybody in our organization – going back to a year ago when he was (nominated for) Rookie of the Year – we all knew that we had a real good, bona fide No. 1 goaltender,” General Manager Ken Holland told WJR-AM 760 last May during the ‘Wings 2nd round playoff series with San Jose.

Is Jimmy Howard the No. 1 Man?

A bona fide No. 1? In Detroit? Goaltending greats are not something the Red Wings have seen a lot of  in recent memory. Sure there was the brief stints in Motown from Cujo and the Dominator, and the likes of Chris Osgood and Mike Vernon had successful seasons while wearing the winged wheel, but one has never really held the kind of secure starting spot that the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist or Sabre’s Ryan Miller enjoy. However, after 2 consecutive 63 game-37 win seasons, and a 2011-12 effort that has seen him start in all but 3 Red Wing contests so far, it appears as if Jimmy Howard’s place at #1 is as good as gold.

That’s very good news for the Red Wings and their fans (perhaps excluding back-up netminder Ty Conklin), who are looking for consistency in what has so far been an incredibly streaky 2011-12 season. Howard has been one of the only reliably sturdy pieces of Hockeytown’s foundation so far this season, not once giving up more than 3 goals in a game. The regularly stellar play will need to continue for Detroit to succeed as well, at least until team leaders Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg find their game along with the rest of the Red Wings’, who have managed just 2.69 goals per game thus far. Luckily Jimmy Howard’s performance has held Detroit’s goals against average at just 2.19, 4th best in the NHL.

A Penchant for Quality

High quality play is nothing new to Jimmy’s career. A runner-up in the 2010 Calder race, Howard holds NCAA records in both GAA and SV% from his time with the University of Maine Black Bears. What is new is the level of consistency Howard has brought to the table, despite the streaky play of his teammates. If the relentlessly sound play between the pipes continues, the Detroit Red Wings will once again be a serious Cup contending team, and with the 27-year-old now in his 3rd season, lack of experience wont hamper his efforts. 2011-12 looks like it could see the rise of Jimmy Howard into the category of goaltending elite, and while there will surely be bumps along the way, the Red Wings’ and their fans alike would be wise to stick behind their young goalie. With a .935 SV% and a 1.69 GAA, that shouldn’t be much to ask for now.

  • Tags
  • Chris Osgood
  • Curtis Joseph
  • Dominik Hasek
  • Henrik Lundqvist
  • Henrik Zetterberg
  • Ilya Bryzgalov
  • Jimmy Howard
  • Ken Holland
  • Maine
  • Maine Black Bears
  • Mike Vernon
  • NCAA
  • Pavel Datsyuk
  • Ryan Miller
  • Ty Conklin
  • University of Maine
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 17th 4:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Make Tough Decision in Waiving Spezza and Dell

Jan 17th 4:05 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton’s First Maple Leafs’ Goal: Just a Little Trickery Out There

Jan 17th 3:55 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues’ Winter 2021 Prospect Pyramid

Jan 17th 3:40 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: White, Batherson, Stützle & More

Jan 17th 3:30 PM
Boston Bruins

First-Year Islanders Shocked Big, Bad Bruins 48 Years Ago

Jan 17th 2:55 PM
Detroit Red Wings

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canadiens, Flyers, Red Wings, More

Jan 17th 2:45 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Need to Make a Jack Roslovic Trade Happen

Jan 17th 2:35 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Thornton, Marner & Robertson

Jan 17th 2:25 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Host Special Drive-Through Merchandise Giveaway at UBS Arena

Jan 17th 1:42 PM
Archives

2013 NHL Entry Draft: Where Are They Now?

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information