Jimmy Howard, similar to Gus Nyquist is in the final year of his lucrative long-term deal. He also was granted a Kenny Holland Christmas present “No Movement Clause” attached to his 5-year, 5,291,666 per season contract. For once Holland got something right. This being Howard’s final year of the deal is the only year he doesn’t have any trade restrictions or no movement clauses attached. Thank-you Mr. Holland for getting one of these deals right.
Jimmy Howard has no choice or say on where he will or could end up. The Vancouver Canucks struggle in net. They have Jacob Markstrom in goal but his up and down play, leads to a lot of frustration. Howard can provide stability and will be a candidate at the end of the season to sign for much less money per season to a team looking for a goaltender.
Jimmy Howard has been up and down throughout his career but has shown in the past to be a reliable goaltender with an above average team in front of him. Howard would be a straight rental piece for anyone who would be interested in trading for him.
The Detroit Red Wings would have to take a bad contract back with whatever draft choice they would get for Howard to make the money work. Howard has often been the Detroit Red Wings best player. Besides Dylan Larkin, Howard has been relatively consistent as he is usually getting peppered with shots. The Wings give up nearly 35 shots per game. That ranks as 28th in the NHL. The problem is the Wings only record 28 shots a night which ranks them at 27th.
The pressure is on Howard often as the club struggles to score goals. The Wings are ranked 27th in goals scored with 2.6 per game. The Canucks score just over 3 goals a game and give up 3.3. Howard would be able to improve they goals allowed a touch. Howard has considerably outplayed Jonathan Bernier to remain the Detroit Red Wings clear number one goaltender.
Jimmy Howard’s stat line going into last evenings game was 3-5-2 record with a 3.02 GAA, .912% Save Percentage. It doesn’t look great but compared to Markstrom who is posting a .899% Save Percentage and a 3.27 GAA. The Canucks have the second most goals allowed to this point in the NHL.