Red Wings' Howard Has Shot To Capture Calder Trophy

When the medals are handed out and the Olympic hockey tournament comes to an end, the race for the NHL playoffs will be just getting started. At the beginning of the season, most Red Wing fans probably didn’t think that Jimmy Howard would outplay Chris Osgood, the starting goaltender from last year’s Stanley Cup Finals, and snatch the starting goaltender position away from him. With his strong play Howard has, and with that strong play also comes another tremendous opportunity. The opportunity to join former Red Wing’s goaltending greats, Terry Sawchuck, Glen Hall, and Roger Crozier as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year and Calder Trophy Winner.

In order to put himself in a position to contend for the Calder trophy, Howard has put together 21 wins in 43 games. Those 21 wins are most among rookie goalies and fifteenth among all goalies. League leader Jonathan Quick has 35 wins, but has also played in a whopping 55 games. Howard’s 2.28 GAA (Goals Against Average) places him second among rookie goalies, only behind Boston’s Tuukka Rask who holds a 2.08 GAA, and sixth in the entire NHL. Howard’s .927 save percentage is also second behind Rask, who is barely ahead at .928. At .927, Howard is sitting in fifth among all NHL goalies. Because Howard has seven more wins and has faced 529 more shots than Rask, he should hold the advantage over Rask in the Calder voting at this point in the season.

To define what Howard needs to do after the Olympic break to capture the Calder, his stats can be compared to last year’s Rookie of the Year, goaltender Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last season, Mason played in 61 games putting together a 33-20 record with a 2.29 GAA and a .916 save percentage. With 21 games left in the Red Wing’s season, Howard would have to play all but 3 of those games in order to match Mason in games played. Whether this happens or not will be dictated by Howard and the Red Wing’s play as they make a playoff push. In order to get to 33 wins, Howard would have to win twelve of those 21 games. If the Red Wings want to make the playoffs this season, they will have to win more then twelve of the final 21. With the team getting healthier, they should accomplish this, and Howard should surpass Mason’s 33 wins a year ago. Howards’s GAA is only slightly below Mason’s mark last season and his save percentage is better. 

Howard’s Rookie of the Year competition for the rest of the season should come from Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene, New York Islander’s left -winger John Tavares, and Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Tyler Myers. Before Mason won the Calder in 2009, the title was held by right-winger Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks who finished the season with 25 goals and 45 assists for 70 points. Right now, Duchene leads all rookies with 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) and in order to be near Kane’s mark of 70 points, he would need to average more than a point a game for the rest of the season. To put Duchene’s task in perspective, before Kane won the Calder, Alex Ovechkin won it by putting up 106 points and Evgeni Malkin won it with 85.

In Myer’s case, the last defenseman to win the Calder came in 2003 with Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues, who won it in most part because of his +23 plus/minus rating. Myers has a tremendous 32 points, which is already 13 more than Jackman had in all of ’03, but Myers also holds a -5 plus/minus rating, which can sometimes be a determining factor for defensemen in awards races. Other position players that are capable of making a run at the trophy are Jamie Benn from Dallas, T.J. Galiardi from Colorado, Michael Del Zotto from the New York Rangers, and Evander Kane from Atlanta.

As it stands right now, Howard is making a strong case for the Calder Trophy while playing in Detroit, which has a reputation for being extremely tough on it’s starting goaltender. Not to mention, playing for a Red Wing’s team that has struggled to find consistency, and is giving up far more shots then normal due to a devastating number of injuries and lineup changes. Not bad for a young guy who spent four years in the AHL, not sure if his chance to be an NHL caliber goaltender would ever come.

The Michigan-USA Hockey Connection

 

                Former Michigan Wolverine Jack Johnson celebrates with teammate with Bobby Ryan

While a good section of the American public sits at home and watches Team USA compete in the Olympic Hockey tournament in Vancouver this Winter, many people may be asking themselves, "where are these kids from?" or might be saying, "that kid's an American? I definitely thought he was Canadian." Well, they aren't in fact Canadian, they're Americans, and a large number of them have roots right here, in Michigan. Here's a quick look at the stars of USA hockey that have connections to the state of Michigan.

Ryan Miller - G Buffalo Sabres

USA's starting goaltender, Ryan Miller was born in East Lansing Michigan and comes from a family that has a great hockey history with Michigan State University. Miller spent three years at MSU where he was named CCHA goaltender of the year in all three seasons and became the second Spartan to ever win the Hobey Baker award (College Hockey's MVP). His cousin Kip Miller is the other Spartan that won the Hobey. Miller was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1999 and since then has solidified their starting goalie position. His brother Drew also played three years at MSU and is currently a member of the Detroit Red Wings.  

Tim Thomas - G Boston Bruins

USA backup goaltender Tim Thomas was born in Davison Michigan and raised in Flint. He played is college hockey at the University of Vermont. After college, Thomas spent several seasons playing in international leagues and lower level North American leagues, including one season with the Detroit Vipers. Thomas finally broke through with the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 season and has been their starter since then. 

Brian Rafalski - D Detroit Red Wings

Brian Rafalksi, from Dearborn Michigan is one of the few veterans on the US olympic team and is serving as one of the team's alternate captains. Rafalksi played his collegiate hockey at the University of Wisconsin before moving on to play internationally. Rafalski made his NHL debut for the New Jersey Devils during the 1999-00 season and since then has played in five stanley cup finals, winning the championship three times. Rafalski was signed by his hometown Detroit Red Wings in 2007.

Erik Johnson - D St. Louis Blues

Born in Bloomington Minnesota, Erik Johnson is one of the few Americans to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft (2006 - St. Louis). Although he is from Minnesota, Johnson did most of his preparation for professional hockey in Ann Arbor Michigan, playing with the US National Team Development Program. He played one season for the University of Minnesota before signing with the Blues.

Tim Gleason - D Carolina Hurricanes

USA defenseman Tim Gleason is from Clawson Michigan. Gleason spent four seasons near Detroit, with the Windsor Spitfires before being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2001. Gleason has spent the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. 

 

         Former Honeybaked Hockey and US National Development Team Member Patrick Kane

Jack Johnson - D Los Angeles Kings

Jack Johnson, born in Indianapolis Indiana was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes but his rights were traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that involved USA teammate Tim Gleason. Before joining the Kings, Johnson played two seasons with the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.  Johnson was also the only American NHL player to take part in the opening ceremonies in Vancouver.

Patrick Kane - F Chicago Blackhawks

21 year old USA forward, Patrick Kane was born in Buffalo New York. Kane began his professional development as a member of the Honeybaked AAA hockey club in Detroit before joining the US National Development Program in Ann Arbor. Kane already has a bronze and gold medal as a member of the USA World Junior team. After playing one season with the London Knights of the OHL, Kane joined the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Phil Kessel - F Toronto Maple Leafs

Phil Kessel is another one of the numerous American NHL stars who was a member of the US National Development program in Ann Arbor. After playing there he joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers for one season. Kessel's NHL career began with the Boston Bruins, before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel was born in Madison Wisconsin and his father Phil Kessel Sr, played college football at Northern Michigan University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins.

Ryan Kesler - F Vancouver Canucks

Ryan Kesler, born in Livonia Michigan began playing competitive AAA hockey as a member of Detroit Honeybaked. From there he joined the US National Development program in Ann Arbor, before playing one season with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Kesler played one season with the Manitoba Moose before becoming a superstar as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. 

Jamie Langenbrunner - F New Jersey Devils

Veteran and team USA captain Jamie Langenbrunner was born in Cloquet Minnesota. His only connection to the state of Michigan came in 1995-96 as a member of the Michigan K-Wings in the IHL. His impressive performance with the K-Wings provided a call-up by the Dallas Stars of the NHL and Langenbrunner has been in the NHL ever since. 

Team USA hockey is full of veteran and young, up-and-coming talent that has connections to the state of Michigan and the tremendous Amateur, Collegiate, and Professional programs in Michigan. The U.S. world junior team captured the gold medal earlier this year by defeating Team Canada in Saskatchewan, proving that the US National Development Program has become one of the elite programs in the world. Look for USA to try and bring home another gold with a little help from the state of Michigan.

2010 Detroit Lions Mock Draft Number 2

Our Last Mock before the Combine. Check it out and leave us your input. If you want to read our first Lion's mock draft before moving on to this one, you can see it HERE.

Round 1 Pick 2:
DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
The Rams are in need of a franchise QB but I'm not sold on Jimmy Clausen and I don't think the Rams are either. Look for them to take the best player available, which right now is Suh out of Nebraska. Although I think it would be great to see Eric Berry and Louis Delmas at the safety spots for many years to come, McCoy is exactly what the Lions need right now. 
First Mock Choice: S Eric Berry, Tennessee

Round 2 Pick 2:
CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State
The Lions need help in the secondary and if they don't take Berry, they should take Wilson here. The coaching staff really liked what they saw out of him in the Senior Bowl and he should be a good fit. I think that Idaho G Mike Iupati will go somewhere in the late first round, but if he doesn't then I think the Lions would grab him here.
First Mock Choice: CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State

Round 3 Pick 2:
RB/WR Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss
In our first mock I had the Lions taking McCluster in the fourth round but his stock is rising and I think he would be a great pick here. McCluster is explosive and would bring more versatility to the Lions offense. He would also bring some depth to the RB position where Kevin Smith's injury problems may be an issue. As selected in the first draft, DT Mike Neal is also a possibility here either to add depth to the DT spot if the Lions take Suh or McCoy, or to have a shot to be a starting DT if the Lions take Berry.
First Mock Choice: DT Mike Neal, Purdue

Round 4 Pick 2:
G John Jerry, Ole Miss
If the Lions don't get a shot at Iupati then here is a good chance to grab a talented guard that the Lions desperately need. Another option here would be WR Eric Decker out of Minnesota or Safety Myron Rolle from Florida state if both Berry and Wilson are passed on. O-Line is top priority at this point though.
First Mock Choice: RB/WR Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

Round 5 Pick 2:
DE O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin
Most mocks I've looked at have Schofield somewhere in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds. If he's available here in the early fifth then he would be a great addition to the Lions defense. Other options here could be DE Alex Carrington from Arkansas State and DE George Selvie from USF. I originally went with an OT here but for right now, it seems as though the Lions coaching staff is going to stick with Backus and Cherilus, and bringing in a G like Jerry could help those two take less heat from opposing defenses.
First Mock Choice:
OT Will Barker, Virgina

Round 5 Pick 15 (From Denver):
WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
Everytime I saw Barnes play, he screamed out NFL Wide Receiver to me. Doesn't have blazing speed but can make all the catches and runs nice routes. Would be a nice addition to a weak receiving squad outside of Calvin Johnson. If they don't go earlier, Local WR's Antonio Brown (CMU) and Blair White (MSU) might also be good options here. 
First Mock Choice: DT John Fletcher, Wyoming

Round 6 Pick 2:
QB Sean Canfield, Oregon State
I've read columns saying that the Lions should take a good look at RB LeGarrette Blount from Oregon late in the draft. He's rated around the #12 RB in the draft but because of character issues may drop down here. Every time I watched him play it seemed as if he were running in slow motion and if the Lions get McCluster then a back won't be needed here. I took some heat for having the Lions select a QB here but I'm going to stick with it until they decide on bringing back Stanton as a number 2 or 3 and I want to see if they sign a veteran free agent to replace Culpepper. Round 6 isn't a bad spot to grab a QB with possible NFL talent, in case of emergency. 

Round 7 Pick 2: Traded to Buffalo

Undrafted Free Agent Signing:
K Brett Swenson, Michigan State
I think the Swenson has a chance to be drafted very late, but if he doesn't then the Lions should grab him. He has a good leg with great accuracy. Jason Hanson has had a tremendous career but this past season he really showed signs of aging. Another option could be K Hunter Lawrence from Texas.