Alright let’s be clear here- I have never really liked Jimmy Howard. To me, he is a symbol of mediocrity for the Wings. He showed up right after the Wings started winning cups and has been here ever since. It’s seems like almost every single season he is the topic of trade deadline conversations, but nothing ever gets done. As time moves on he will be one of the most forgettable Red Wing goaltenders of our generation. Now sure, has he had the best teams in front of him, no. But has he ever done anything really that spectacular? Is he known for stealing games? No. He’s just, Jimmy Howard. The streaky, kind of injured, definitely overpaid, on way too long of a contract, mild head case goalie that we have right now.

Did you guys know Howard’s been on the Wings since 2005? Think about that. This dude has been in a Wings jersey for 14 years. Fun fact: He’s in the ’08 Stanley Cup picture but did not get his name engraved on the Cup. He is in his final year of a 6-year 31.75 million dollar deal that he signed back in 2013. That was around the time when Holland was handing out 5+ year contracts to anybody who wanted to join the Red Wings country club.

Via the Detroit Free Press:

The NHL went with Jimmy Howard over Dylan Larkin in picking who would represent the Detroit Red Wings at the 2019 All-Star Game. 

Rosters were announced Wednesday evening, and Howard was chosen by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department for the Jan. 26 game in San Jose. At the season’s midpoint, Howard was 10-9-5 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. Howard and Montreal’s Carey Price will be in goal for the Atlantic Division. 

“It’s a true honor to be able to go and represent this organization in the All-Star Game,” Howard said. “I kind of think Larks deserves to be there probably even more, but it’ll be fun. I’m looking forward to it for my boys. They’re at that age now where they’re starting to learn players around the league. They were really excited when they found out.”

Howard, 34, was named to the 2015 All-Star team, but he suffered a groin injury that same day, in a game at Washington, and missed five weeks of action.

So let’s note that of those stats listed, none of them rank in top ten in the NHL for goaltenders.

Now where the shit really sucks is that on a national stage such as this years NHL All Star Game, loaded with extremely young, fun, and exciting talent, the Red Wings are going to be represented by a 34-year-old split-time goaltender to backup Carey Price in the Atlantic Division… instead of the former fastest skater, 22-year-old Michigan native who is right in-line to become Detroit’s next captain. Now, back when the season started, I noted that the Wings should go captain-less until someone earns it….and right now I believe Larkin is earning it. Key word- earning. I think the whole season should play out, but he has found ways to win games in OT more than a couple times. And is putting up points in almost every game. Sure, I would have loved to see him find a way to bury his shootout shot on New Years Eve vs Florida….mainly because we had a 3-0 lead and I had big money on the Wings, but shit happens.

Good for Howard, his kids, and fam. And maybe this will help make the case at the deadline to finally ship this guy off in the final leg of his contract. But this is an L for Wings fans, the Wings, NHL fans in general, and the NHL. The Wings carry a strong national and even international fan base. Everyone and their mother who enjoys the Red Wings wants to see Larkin. Even Howard thought it should be Larkin. Jimmy Howard represents who the Wings are since 2010, Larkin represents where the Wings could potentially be headed in the next 5 years. This is a bummer.

But the good news is, we can still vote Larkin in. Follow this link and vote up to 10 times per day to get #71 to San Jose: https://www.nhl.com/all-star-ballot

#lgrw 🍾

– Frank