Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXVIII

[UnSandvich]

Howden isn't bad for his age. He is perhaps our best young forward when it comes to defensive awareness and generally being in the right place. He's got a decent motor and he's not afraid to go to the dirty areas. He PKs. He's highly coachable. I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a bit of a leader this season for the even younger kids. If he can just work on his strength, his core and base strength, he'll be a very useful bottom 6 forward for a very long time. If he can't, he'll be bounce around a bunch. But to call him bad means, you'd have to call Kakko putrid. Because we'd be in the game unfairly judging young players before they're physically mature.

"He is perhaps our best young forward when it comes to defensive awareness and generally being in the right place." wut
"He PKs" He has the 9th highest PPGA/60 among all F's leaguewide with 100+ mins shorthanded

The team gets killed every time he's on the ice. The only thing about his game that's currently above replacement level is his effort.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Eichel is younger with less of an injury history, and is signed for longer term. Zibenejad is of course proven as a Ranger, a team leader, and cheaper, but if we're not using the cap space to make a legitimate run right now, the swap is advantageous because you get a player who fits the timeline of the team a bit better. You don't have to worry about your star center being a UFA at 29 right around the time your top young talent is going to get very expensive.

I guess there's the added twist of the cap having a lot more uncertainty over the next few years than one would have thought though.

Isn't the larger issue that that trading Zibanejad for Eichel creating the same hole in the lineup?

 

[NYR Viper]

He was among the worst forwards in the league the last two years. He's been objectively bad.

It doesn't have to be black and white though. I can say he's bad while also taking into account his age and the fact he's not done developing.

But he's been bad, I don't think it's up for debate. Frankly there is no reason he shouldn't have spent a significant amount of time in the AHL the last two seasons

He's been bad, for sure. For me, I've seen glimpses of games or small stretches of games where you can see he gains some traction and then flounders a bit. I still feel he can be a pretty good 3rd line center, it just may take him until he is 25-26 years old

 

[NYR Viper]

Isn't the larger issue that that trading Zibanejad for Eichel creating the same hole in the lineup?

The only way it makes sense is if Zibanejad is asking for a 7 year deal and the Rangers are concerned with his health. As far as how I feel about it, I'd be looking hard to find the right 2C and then re-signing Zibanejad. Whether that's Eichel or Barkov or Lindholm or whoever.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’d actually go out and say the Rangers actively hindered Howdens development not sending him to the AHL at all

He needed/still needs time there but it won’t happen

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

How is Lindgren #15?!

Low offensive upside. So even though he’s pretty much established in the NHL now he’ll be ranked lower than someone with a lot of flash and dash who can easily flame out. Guys like Pronman, Wheeler, etc hate defensive defensemen, which explains why Miller,Robertson and Schneider are always so low. I wonder how someone like Parayko was ranked when he was a prospect?

 

[Greg02]

Isn't the larger issue that that trading Zibanejad for Eichel creating the same hole in the lineup?

I agree that it's not addressing the 2C, but that doesn't mean that it's not a good idea. It's probably a bit of a video game move but in a vacuum I think that swap increases our odds of winning cups in the long term.

 

[SA16]

I feel pretty confident in saying that Brett Howden will never have a 40 point season in the NHL.

 

[Don Chytil]

I feel pretty confident in saying that Brett Howden will never have a 40 point season in the NHL.

You never know, the way our coaching staff loves him maybe he plays with Panarin this year

 

[Alluckks]

I feel pretty confident in saying that Brett Howden will never have a 40 point season in the NHL.

Brian Boyle had 1 season with above 26 points

 

[Tawnos]

I feel pretty confident in saying that Brett Howden will never have a 40 point season in the NHL.

Yeah I’m comfortable with the idea that he’s not a top-6 player.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Yeah I’m comfortable with the idea that he’s not a top-6 player.

And that’s okay.

 

[NYR Viper]

And that’s okay.

Exactly. Not every player needs to be a top-6 guy. Guys like Howden can provide cost controlled options in the bottom-6.

 

[Levitate]

Howden's issue has a lot to do with strength, and that's something that will naturally take care of itself over time. He played a very mature, 2-way game in juniors and he was okay playing at his size there. It's a game that translates well to a 2-way 3C in the NHL. The issue being that his physical strength has needed time to develop. If he had played a full season in the AHL and put up 50 points in 70 games which is reasonable, followed by his first season in the NHL at age 21-22 putting up ~20 points people would be higher on him. He's still so young and he actually projects to fill a glaring hole in the organization, 2-way 3C.

I honestly don't agree with this. At least, it's only one part. I think a lot of his struggles are that he's just not up to NHL speed mentally yet. He looks like he's doing the right things because he's trying and he's active on the ice, but he's actually often not in the right place or can't make plays fast enough because his read of the game is a tick too slow.
It might change, but I think too many people are blinded by the tools he has and the fact that it looks like he's working and doing stuff on the ice and they're not looking at what he's actually accomplishing (which so far has been very little)
I hope he gets better, it'd help the team a lot, but somehow people are still blind to his short comings

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Brett Howden is an issue because he was rushed to the NHL. The GM/coach was drawn in by his effort and attitude, not the actual on-ice results.

Now, contrary to popular belief, I think Howden still has quite a bit of upside left. I think, given time, he can become a very good 3C.

With that being said, someone needs to get this kid in the weight room, working with a strength coach. He has zero explosion in his step, he can't win puck battles, and while he's willing to go to the net, he gets easily out-muscled once there. Sometimes, these lanky kids just take longer to grow into their bodies, but he seems to be behind in that respect. He's 22. He should be filling out. He's 6'3" and still under 200 lbs entering his 3rd pro season. I really think most of his issues come from not being able to physically play the game his brain wants to play. Too slow, too weak.

 

[NYR Viper]

I honestly don't agree with this. At least, it's only one part. I think a lot of his struggles are that he's just not up to NHL speed mentally yet. He looks like he's doing the right things because he's trying and he's active on the ice, but he's actually often not in the right place or can't make plays fast enough because his read of the game is a tick too slow.
It might change, but I think too many people are blinded by the tools he has and the fact that it looks like he's working and doing stuff on the ice and they're not looking at what he's actually accomplishing (which so far has been very little)
I hope he gets better, it'd help the team a lot, but somehow people are still blind to his short comings

And that's distinctly possible as well. I guess it's difficult to surmise whether it's his physical limitations holding him back (which include strength, speed and agility) or whether he isn't processing the game fast enough. Based on his play from his younger years I didn't see a guy who didn't understand where to be but perhaps he is still adjusting. That's possible.

 

[DutchNYR]

Buchnevich is a non, winning player. I'll jump for joy when JD and Gorton finally get rid of this clown.

Calm down now, we all know how Buchi handles bullies. Ask Marchand.

 

[Crease]

The only time I have ever been impressed with Howden was his first 20 or so games with the Rangers, when he looked like Diet Stepan. Since then he has looked like Diet Immonen. I know he is young and that means room for improvement but I just don’t see it.

 

[Rongomania]

The only time I have ever been impressed with Howden was his first 20 or so games with the Rangers, when he looked like Diet Stepan. Since then he has looked like Diet Immonen. I know he is young and that means room for improvement but I just don’t see it.

He'd be a good candidate to attach to a D prospect to upgrade somewhere, preferably at the position he currently plays.

 

[Raspewtin]

Howden has no value as a cost controlled option for the bottom 6 if he is god awful at everything you want out of a bottom 6 player.

He is far, FAR worse defensively than he is offensively.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Howden has no value as a cost controlled option for the bottom 6 if he is god awful at everything you want out of a bottom 6 player.

He is far, FAR worse defensively than he is offensively.

Howden will be like his brother another 1st round bust, out of the league in 3-5 years at most.

Quinton Howden Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Brett Howden (b.1998) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

At least Brett has been consistently in the NHL. both of them suck and should retire.

 

[Raspewtin]

Don't want to pile on anymore but I would actually agree more with Howden in an offensive role than a checking role where he's expected to defend well, PK, and forecheck, because Howden's biggest weakness (his pitiful hockey IQ) manifests itself the most without the puck and in the neutral+defensive zones. the deer in the headlights phenomena always hurts defense more than offense imo. what's the point of having the puck if not only you have no idea what to do with it, but you cannot reasonably be expected to ever get it back?

even with a dumbass like Skjei, he was frustrating with the puck but he, could like, stick check every now and then or win a battle to turn the puck around. Howden would be better if hockey was played without a puck and only intentions. And I know I'm one of his harshest critics but I just......don't see it. I even saw it with Girardi and other players I vocally had a problem with. I don't with Howden.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Howden will be like his brother another 1st round bust, out of the league in 3-5 years at most.

Quinton Howden Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Brett Howden (b.1998) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

At least Brett has been consistently in the NHL. both of them suck and should retire.

Seeing as he already has 2 NHL seasons under his belt, I don't see how a 5-7 year career for a very late 1st is a "bust."

Howden has been mishandled by the organization, and kept on the big club way too long because of our lack of C depth. None of that warrants the hate he gets.

You may end up being right, but there's no need to be so vitriolic about it. Especially when the kid has been a model citizen (not a small feat for a youngster).

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Should we look for Toews with Chicago rebuilding? Mika & Toews down the middle would be great.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Should we look for Toews with Chicago rebuilding? Mika & Toews down the middle would be great.

Only if Chicago covers half of his yearly salary. Then we can talk.