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By Sarah Lindenau - www.RedWingsCentral.com September 15, 2007 Jimmy Howard wants to prove he’s ready for NHL duty. The Detroit Red Wings goaltender, ranked No. 1 in RedWingsCentral.com’s prospect ranking, is entering his third year in the pros and has spent his first two seasons in the American Hockey League. “I am ready — I know I am,” the 23-year-old said on the first day of Red Wings training camp on Friday in Traverse City, Mich. “I am chomping at the bit to show (the Red Wings) everything that I have and everything that I have worked on. I just want to prove myself.” Howard went 21-21-3 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Howard is stuck behind incumbents Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood, but the Red Wings would likely make room for him if he forces the issue. “I want to show them I am capable of being the goalie of the future,” he said. Howard spent the summer training and working on his fitness. He lost 10 pounds, which could help his mobility. “I just have to be consistent and bring my A game night in and night out.” Howard said. “With some of the growing pains that I had (in 2005-06) I really think I took it another step forward with (last season), especially in the playoffs. I need to pick up where I left off.” Drake, who the Red Wings signed as a free agent for depth this summer, didn’t show much rust as he lifted Team C to a 4-1 win over Team B. “It’s always tough the first couple of days getting back into game shape,” the 6-foot, 185-pounder said. “There was a good tempo out there and I just have to get adjusted to playing in a little different system.” Drake, originally drafted by the Red Wings in the sixth round in 1989, skated on a line with Tomas Kopecky and Kirk Maltby. The Red Wings are hoping the unit will become a new version of the Grind Line. “Kopy is obviously a very skilled guy who is real good with the puck,” Drake said. “I think me and Malts are a similar type of player who are going to grind it out and bang and crash and go to the net a lot. We have to play (well) defensively and chip in offensively here and there.” The 38-year-old said he fielded contract offers from several teams, but liked Detroit because the team “always competes for the Stanley Cup.” He’s already a hit with Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock. “That is what I expect from Dallas,” he said. “Playing for us he will be re-energized nd he will be a huge part of our hockey club.” — Evan McGrath skated with Team A on Friday. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward injured his finger in the prospects tournament earlier this week, but was cleared to play by team doctors. He is wearing a brace. — Forward Darren Helm sat out on Friday and is expected to miss all of the intra-squad scrimmages with a shoulder strain. — Forward Cory Emmerton and defenseman Logan Pyett were back on the ice for the Red Wings after participating in the Canada/Russia Under-20 Super Series and missing all of the prospects tournament. Canada went 7-0-1 record and had a massive 39-13 scoring advantage. “When we went to Russia it was different and exciting,” said Emmerton. “The crowds over there are great and we had lots of fan support. I think it was a good start to the season. We expected to win, but not in that way.” Emmerton, usually known for his skill and offensive sense with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs, played mostly on Canada’s fourth line and was held pointless in seven games. “I just wanted to play and contribute in any way that coach (Brent) Sutter wanted me to,” the 19-year-old center/left winger explained. “I think our line did a great job of creating energy and penalty killing. It got me on the ice so I didn’t have any problem with that at all.” The 6-foot, 190-pounder had 29 goals and 66 points in 40 games with Kingston last season, missing nine weeks with a broken ankle. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Wings at season’s end. He’s now vying for a spot on Canada’s world junior team. “I had to play really defensively sound (during the Super Series), so I will keep working on that this season,” Emmerton said. Emmerton had surgery before the Super Series to have a plate removed from his now fully-healed ankle. He said it was a “short summer” as a result but that the ank “isn’t bothering” him at all now. — Babcock was impressed after Day 1 of camp. “It was a good first day,” Babcock said. “It isn’t an easy day for the players. On Oct. 3 we have to be ready (to start the season) so we do everything as a coaching staff to prepare our team. “I thought our guys looked good and they worked hard. We have some good young kids and it looks like we have some depth on the back end.” On the battle for roster spots, he said, “There is no entitlement here whatsoever. All the spots are available and the best players will play.” — Newly-acquired defenseman Brian Rafalski had a rough first day of camp as his Team B lost 4-0 to Team C. But better days likely lie ahead. “He’s won three cups in a great organization.” Babcock said. “Yet he’s a guy who wanted to play for the Red Wings. He’s a real puck mover who’s really intelligent and he’s good defensively.” — Former Red Wing and University of Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson worked with the coaches, assisting with on-ice drills. He will be a guest coach with the Wings for the duration of the Traverse City camp. “He’s here to evaluate the coaches and see if he can help us,” Babcock said. — Babcock likes the Red Wings’ blue-line prospects, particularly 6-foot-5, 218-pound Swedish defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. “We are getting a real good push from the bottom,” Babcock said. Jakub Kindl, the Wings’ first-round pick in 2005, also impressed Babcock, although he’ll likely start the year with the Grand Rapids Griffins. “Not many guys, when they come to NHL camp, want the puck when they are 19 years old. He wants the puck,” Babcock said. “He’s got to work on getting stronger and playing solid defensively.” Sarah Lindenau is a contributor to RedWingsCentral.com. RELATED LINKS: Photos |
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