Jacob
as seen on TV
- Feb 27, 2002
- 49,361
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Howe was an insane +37 in 37 games with Calgary. I think he'd be fine in the AHL, he won't really need to adjust much since he already plays a good 2-way game.
Prospect Info: '24-'25 Prospects Thread: Generation Z
- Thread starter Zirakzigil
- Start date
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I'm not worried about adjusting to the AHL, it's more about thinking that developing his offensive game as a top player in the WHL would be better than as a bottom-6 guy in the AHL.
lokomotiv15
Registered User
Every time I watch the Hitmen I keep an eye out for Howe and I always notice he isn't a play driver, doesn't usually finish chances he should, doesn't create much of anything based on high end skill, doesn't put up any big dominating point nights and leaves me kind of disappointed. Then I see that he actually has the 3rd highest PPG on Calgary behind an OA and a mid-first rounder this year. And then he will absolutely hound and bury someone on the forecheck, come off the wall and feed a guy in a high danger area, score a dirty powerplay goal in front of the net, put his face in front of shots in the D-zone and every once in a while pull off a high skill play.
Not saying they are the same player at all, but I haven't been simultaneously so low and so high on a prospect, relative to general consensus, since watching Guentzel at the prospects challenge in London in 2016. He was fresh off great college numbers, a so-so start in pro in WBS in the regular season and a great playoff run. At the tournament he wasn't big, but wasn't necessarily small, maybe just slight. He was kind of soft, and not overly physical, but then he'd drive the net, roll off checks and be fairly decent on the forecheck and great on the cycle. No high end skills, not a great skater but ended up being in the right place and put up points every game. Literally every season since then.
Howe's got a bunch of great components to his game, and plays a way not every player is willing to play. Would love to see him take a big step offensively next year; If he can add some dominating offensive skill to his game, even at the Major Junior level, to go with the rest of the package, I'd start to get extremely excited.
CheckingLineCenter
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- Aug 10, 2018
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Not my call but zero shot I’m sending Howe back.
He’s played like 250 games and all of them as a top 6/top line guy. One season as the guy. As a result had a ton of minutes and touches in that league. Is pretty much physically developed. It’s simply time for him to play at a different level of hockey. Even if you send him back and he scores 130 points I don’t think it’s adding anything to his game long term.
I know the stats didn’t pop this year like you would hope for year 4 but he had had the 3rd best p/pg on Calgary. Weird team where they were good but seems like no one scored in bunches besides two guys. Seems like it’s coming for him in the playoffs right now.
He’s played like 250 games and all of them as a top 6/top line guy. One season as the guy. As a result had a ton of minutes and touches in that league. Is pretty much physically developed. It’s simply time for him to play at a different level of hockey. Even if you send him back and he scores 130 points I don’t think it’s adding anything to his game long term.
I know the stats didn’t pop this year like you would hope for year 4 but he had had the 3rd best p/pg on Calgary. Weird team where they were good but seems like no one scored in bunches besides two guys. Seems like it’s coming for him in the playoffs right now.
lokomotiv15
Registered User
That's maybe a reason why I'm so dour on his offensive upside. He has been in the league for parts of 5 seasons now, so maybe it's just a thing where his game will never be conducive to high-end offensive numbers anywhere he is playing. High offensive numbers in junior and the NHL obviously aren't always mutually exclusive, and the good thing is his value comes from a lot more facets of the game than raw offensive numbers.
I would be okay with either the AHL or WHL route. AHL gets him pro-ready, WHL might grow the confidence and offensive game, but again, those things also aren't mutually exclusive to those development paths.
I guess all that to say that he's a rare type of prospect we haven't had in a while and he's got my interest and attention.
On a side note, you're right, he is lighting up the first round so far.
- Jun 13, 2010
- 40,113
- 24,003
I don't know if there is a right or wrong for Howe honestly. He's projecting to be, at best, a gritty 3rd line forechecking guy. I don't think he's going to suddenly find another gear offensively so he should start developing the extra skill sets we commonly see in bottom 6 depth players. I'd be stoked if he was the equivalent to Matt Cooke without the dirty play.
I think the decision of whether or not to put him in WBS or back to the WHL will hinge on two things: 1. What does WBS's lineup project to be? If they have a full lineup already and they are having to send equivalent players to Wheeling, you send him back to the WHL. If they clearly have whole and they find him capable, then sure. 2. Performance in camp. He could easily force hands but I think the logic there would be more "well, we may want to legit call him up" which I don't think is a level he'll reach.
Good news is that we have some time to wait with him.
I think the decision of whether or not to put him in WBS or back to the WHL will hinge on two things: 1. What does WBS's lineup project to be? If they have a full lineup already and they are having to send equivalent players to Wheeling, you send him back to the WHL. If they clearly have whole and they find him capable, then sure. 2. Performance in camp. He could easily force hands but I think the logic there would be more "well, we may want to legit call him up" which I don't think is a level he'll reach.
Good news is that we have some time to wait with him.
Darren McCord
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- Dec 15, 2015
- 9,385
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Also Wbs should have a good team again next year. It is more important these young players get time with other good players before they all graduate. They need to keep pumping in good prospects. I think it is always better to get players in the system with professional support.
DesertPenguin
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- Apr 22, 2015
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I remember a lot of vitriol that he made the Canada WJC to be a bottom 6 grit guy. I'd take a WJC talent level grit guy in the bottom 6. Could be a Kunitz in the making, and once upon a time the concensus was Rust tops out as a 3rd liner
Jared Grayden
Registered User
- Mar 23, 2025
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Canada's roster selection proved to be disastrous based on their inability to score. Way too many two-way players not nearly enough talent.
If Howe's offence is going to come from having a high motor and right time, right place IQ, then feeding him into the AHL so he gets used to the step up in both of those things makes a ton of sense to me. If you think you can upscale his skill for more touches I get the attraction of the WHL, but feels like if that was going to happen, it'd have happened.
Idle question - would the Pens retain Howe's rights if he went to an NCAA team? Because if you've got a debate on WHL or AHL with a kid, NCAA seems like an in the middle option that's worth talking about to see if it's the best of both worlds. A step up in in quality to test him more, but not so much that he couldn't get a scoring role and hopefully keep growing there. I've no idea whether Howe would have any interest, but I think it'd made sense to ask.
(Tbh, I suspect there's a metric shit-ton of CHLers who could benefit from an NCAA year before going pro).
Idle question - would the Pens retain Howe's rights if he went to an NCAA team? Because if you've got a debate on WHL or AHL with a kid, NCAA seems like an in the middle option that's worth talking about to see if it's the best of both worlds. A step up in in quality to test him more, but not so much that he couldn't get a scoring role and hopefully keep growing there. I've no idea whether Howe would have any interest, but I think it'd made sense to ask.
(Tbh, I suspect there's a metric shit-ton of CHLers who could benefit from an NCAA year before going pro).
Empoleon8771
Registered User
Howe actually signed his ELC already so he wouldn't be able to go to the NCAA.
Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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Gurglesons
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WickedWrister
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Fordy
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- May 28, 2008
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Ryder71
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- Nov 24, 2017
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I like this kid, and let me tell you, he'll be a fan favorite and the coaching staff we'll love him. He'll be a future assistant captain here, you watch. Kinda a hybrid between Bob Errey and Chris Kunitz. Very good positioning, plays with Heart, extremely responsible, good offensive acumen, comes through in the clutch. You win with players like him.
HandshakeLine
A real jerk thing
A question, not trying to troll or mock, but lots of people here hated the Howe pick. Have you changed your feelings about it after his season?
Honour Over Glory
Fire Sully
- Jan 30, 2012
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CheckingLineCenter
Registered User
- Aug 10, 2018
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Obv Howe can’t but it will be interesting to see how this is handled:
D+0= CHL
D+1= CHL
D+2= NCAA
Now D+3 is rolling up and you want the player in the NCAA still… you can’t sign them because it ends college eligibility. But if you don’t sign them… don’t you lose their rights and the player can re-enter the draft?
I’m not sure the CBA addresses that situation.
CheckingLineCenter
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- Aug 10, 2018
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I could be misremembering but wasn’t it the opposite? Thought there was more bitching about Brunicke and more positivity about Howe
Tbh if anyone hated the Howe pick to a bold, italicized level they are looking a tad justified but it’s too early either way.
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I don't recall anyone hating the Howe pick. I've been a bit disappointed that his offense hasn't popped this year (well at least until the playoffs) but I didn't have any issues with the pick at the time.
I figure the only knock against that pick was that it wasn't a high upside shot, since Howe's realistic upside is a more skilled Tanev type of bottom-6 energy forward. But he's still the kind of player this team really lacks in their system so I don't think anyone was upset with the pick.
I figure the only knock against that pick was that it wasn't a high upside shot, since Howe's realistic upside is a more skilled Tanev type of bottom-6 energy forward. But he's still the kind of player this team really lacks in their system so I don't think anyone was upset with the pick.
HandshakeLine
A real jerk thing
Empoleon8771
Registered User
Most people here were speaking positively of the pick.
