Was Jimmy Howard the best 2nd round draft pick for the Wings?

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Finnegan Frost
June 18, 2024 (2:38 PM)

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With the 2024 NHL draft quickly approaching, we pay homage to one of the best selections the Detroit Red Wings have taken, particularly in the second round.

Next year poses uncertain times for the Detroit Red Wings faithful. Although the team is poised to improve from their disappointing season last year, one area the Red Wings certainly need to improve is their goal tending. They surely could use the likes of a Jimmy Howard in his prime. Howard was considered one of the greatest formidable forces between the pipes and is possibly considered the best second round draft pick in Red Wings history.

"He was a starter from pretty much the moment he stuck on an NHL roster, earning All-Rookie honors and placing second for the Calder after a 63-game rookie season. He earned Vezina votes twice including that first campaign, and his 471 games in the 2010s were the 10th most of any goaltender in that era. His 543 career games � all with Detroit � rank third in franchise history. His 2.62 goals against average ranks ninth among all netminders to reach 100 games in the Winged Wheel. And his .912 career save percentage ranks fourth among all goaltenders to ever play for Detroit."

Jimmy Howard is surely one of the greatest Detroit Red Wings of all time. Despite having a poor end to his career, it does not diminish the impact he had on the Red Wings rich hockey history. He is one of the few great Red Wings to play his full career in Detroit and truly deserves the honour of the best second round pick in the history of the club.

source: The Hockey News
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