Player Discussion Brett Howden

[Off Sides]

Not a bad comparison honestly... both playmakers that display a good amount of patience with puck. Neither are big threats to score but aren't hopeless in that regard either

Obviously Hayes has a big size advantage, but not sure if that translates to anything worthwhile since he plays a finesse game.

Hayes has better playmaking, if he ever added a change of pace within his skating he'd probably be a much better player. Howden has the pace change down, yet I'm not sure his vision and pace keep up with one another.

 

[bl02]

Kid had some nice moments last year but I think it's time for Quinn to do the right thing and send him to Hartford.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

It can just as easily go the the other way. I don't think Howden's development will be harmed by playing less minutes in the NHL.

 

[AlaBlueShirt]

Its the god damn pre-season????
He was solid 3/4 line center last year how come he aint it now ????

 

[EdJovanovski]

Don’t understand what he did to become the new whipping boy.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

Its the god damn pre-season????
He was solid 3/4 line center last year how come he aint it now ????

Howden's play really doesn't stand out, that's one reason why people only see the mistakes. Plus, he's really not destined to be a regular top six forward, he doesn't have flashy offensive skills that leave a positive impression.

So yes, it really still is pre-season and I don't think Howden is going anywhere. But, I do think that Andersson has shown more improvement and deserves more minutes when the real season starts on Thursday.

 

[AlaBlueShirt]

Howden's play really doesn't stand out, that's one reason why people only see the mistakes. Plus, he's really not destined to be a regular top six forward who doesn't have flashy offensive skills.

So yes, it really is still pre-season and I don't think Howden is going anywhere. But, I do think that Andersson has shown more improvement and deserves more minutes when the real season starts on Thursday.

Lias’ ceiling is deff higher but Howden really can be the guy who can center almost any line in the future.
Not your go-to top 6 forward but he can jump up and down on the lineup.

 

[Rangers in 7]

Lias’ ceiling is deff higher but Howden really can be the guy who can center almost any line in the future.
Not your go-to top 6 forward but he can jump up and down on the lineup.

He’s going to be a middle six center, he should be centering your 3rd line on a cup contender, but he would be a serviceable #2

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lias’ ceiling is deff higher but Howden really can be the guy who can center almost any line in the future.
Not your go-to top 6 forward but he can jump up and down on the lineup.

So Jesper Fast at center basically

 

[Chytilmania]

I have no issues with him getting 4C mins all season. But I'm also cool with McKegg at 4C and letting him get minutes in Hartford. I just don't see the difference between 4C and 1C in Hartford for his game.

 

[Raspewtin]

he wasn't good last year and he's not been good this year.

I really just don't see what he does well.

 

[SA16]

I'd try him out as the 1C for Maine.

 

[nyr2k2]

I still have faith he will be a good player down the road. He's smart and skilled. He will put it together. Right now, you just can't put him ahead of Lias. He should have been ahead of him last season; Howden was shit for almost the whole year after his good first month or whatever it was.

I don't know if he's better served in the AHL or on the fourth line. That's for the coaches, I guess. Although they obviously love him based on his usage last season, so who knows where he plays.

 

[haveandare]

he wasn't good last year and he's not been good this year.

I really just don't see what he does well.

Yup. I hope he can put it together but I agree at this point.

Same with Strome honestly. Everyone talks like he’s good at... something but I just see a vet who was never good at much at this level and still isn’t.

 

[Leetch3]

I still have faith he will be a good player down the road. He's smart and skilled. He will put it together. Right now, you just can't put him ahead of Lias. He should have been ahead of him last season; Howden was **** for almost the whole year after his good first month or whatever it was.

I don't know if he's better served in the AHL or on the fourth line. That's for the coaches, I guess. Although they obviously love him based on his usage last season, so who knows where he plays.

I think it depends on how his linemates would be on the 4th line and how many minutes they would get...if we are talking about playing with brendan smith getting 7-8 minutes per game, not sure he benefits that much. if he's playing with real nhlers getting 10-12 minutes than I don't have a problem with it

 

[ohbaby]

Howden has competition this year. He was a surprise last year coming straight out of juniors. Lias and McKegg are making strong pushes to make the team. I still believe Howden has the edge based on last year, but that could change at anytime during the season. Competition is good, and hope we can keep all of them around.

3rd and 4th liners main responsibility is sound defensive play, and aggressive forechecking. Their shifts are short because of their all out play. If they chip in a few goals, then great. They look to pressure the opposing teams into turnovers and penalties. And based on last nights play with most of our depth guys playing, they succeeded in doing just that. We had 7 powerplays last night! And ADA's goal was on a delayed penalty. So it would have been 8.

I am feeling better about our season. If our depth guys could keep this up, playing great D, forcing turnovers and penalties,... And with the talent upfront on the top lines, we can have some success this season.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I’ve penciled him in as this year’s whipping boy.

 

[Crease]

Don’t understand what he did to become the new whipping boy.

It's a usage issue. Like Girardi and Vesey before him.

 

[offdacrossbar]

he really does nothing for me. hes very vanilla. very blah.

skating ok
hands ok
motor ok
iq ok

hes just ok. doesn't shoot much really. good size.

last year he was mostly not ok. so far this fall, pretty much just ok.

3C ceiling guy and thats fine. its, ok.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I still have faith he will be a good player down the road. He's smart and skilled. He will put it together. Right now, you just can't put him ahead of Lias. He should have been ahead of him last season; Howden was **** for almost the whole year after his good first month or whatever it was.

I don't know if he's better served in the AHL or on the fourth line. That's for the coaches, I guess. Although they obviously love him based on his usage last season, so who knows where he plays.

Good post. I thought there were times he was quite effective last season. He seemed to lose some steam after the injury and then was just sort of "there" for stretches. I thought he should have gone down for a bit and was fairly vocal about saying so. What he needs to do is find a way to get noticed. To learn what kind of player he needs to be to add value.

 

[Raspewtin]

I don't think Howden was given a good opportunity last year and feel like they kind of just let him take a nose dive and lose all of his confidence as the season went on.

I just don't know if the 3rd/4th line is the best place for him to develop especially with who will be flanking him. I think Howden has skills and is worth working through but I think I would've started him in the AHL and let him get his confidence up. I think he had a very uneven season last year.

 

[Machinehead]

It's a usage issue. Like Girardi and Vesey before him.

Usage as in playing at all, yes. Like Girardi and Vesey before him.

 

[Machinehead]

Howden has competition this year.

 

[NernieBichols]

So Jesper Fast at center basically

Which would be great

 

[Machinehead]

Which would be great

Yeah, if Howden is outstanding defensively and a solid scorer at even strength, that's awesome.

Not exactly getting my hopes up for that just yet.