redwhiteandblue
Registered User
- Apr 1, 2013
- 1,112
- 1,032
I wasn't trying to instigate by pointing out how you said you don't watch games as much. I was pointing out credit to your point and proposing to you what I see. So my response before this wasn't meant to be rude or anything. I digress...first bold
Yea, that's why I mentioned it. Wanted to be fair. Didn't want to represent myself as an expert. But let's not pretend like watching every game is necessary either. I didn't say i never watch.
Howden is a different player. Different size, speed, skills and abilities. It's reasonable to assume they like what he brings more right now and I don't think it's about production or ineffectiveness. What is Howden doing wrong to deserve a demotion and what is lias doing right to deserve the promotion?
What would Lias bring to the role that would make him better overall than Howden?
Why do it after only 14 games? That's barely anytime. These guys need more than a dozen games in any one particular role before moving them for no particular reason. They're going to have good games where you can reinforce good habits and bad games where you can identify what to fix. You take Howden out of that role this early in the season and you deny him the opportunity to go through that in this particular season. Not that I even see him making egregious errors. Same for Lias
It is much smarter to leave both guys where they are for an extended period of time and shake things up after a significant sample. If Lias is promoted by game 40 and excels than why would any of this be a problem? It wouldnt be. Which is why imo people just lack the patience and the correct mindset when it comes to this issue.
As for last year? Lias was a much worse player overall last year. So much so that i can't even pretend like last years games count towards this arbitrary "Howden has had too long compared to Lias" meter. I really liked what lias did in pre-season. I'm on record saying I'd have had no problem with him getting promoted to start the season. But he wasn't so good that I ever thought it was necessary to promote him either.
I think Lias being 'much worse' is a personal examination. I think he's been better this year for sure. I also dont think last year there was such a gap between him and Howden that made it any sense to favor Howden so. That's your opinion they did, I happen to very much disagree. Even if I were to agree with that the gap was so big, I'd still find it concerning that on a rebuilding roster my coach isn't experimenting with these guys.
Let's take Lias Andersson out of the equation for a second. What has Brett Howden done to deserve such a long leash? Again, I'm in full support of Howden becoming the best player he can for this team and not another, but he has been far from perfect. He's been just an average middle six guy, on his best nights. I'd say hes actually not really progressing and more so plateauing over the last 40 games or so, and being up to over a full season of NHL work, would mean he's not perfect. If it wasn't a rebuilding team he'd be in the AHL or on the 4th line.
So Howden is not perfect. Not to mention he's not being really challenged to get any better because he's spoon fed minutes with no worry of being underwhelming let alone bad. Considering all that, I don't see how you can just wash out last season, regardless of Lias or not. Bring Lias back into the conversation and, like I said before, I'm concerned the coach isn't at least tossing him an extended try out in a larger role.