Detroit Red Wings
Jimmy Howard's roster spot turned official during 2009 off-season when Detroit did not offer Conklin a new contract, instead electing to promote Howard to Osgood's full time backup. He recorded his first win of the 2009-10 NHL Season on October 27 in relief of Chris Osgood against the Vancouver Canucks, making 20 saves. On December 17, 2009, Howard recorded his first career shutout in a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jimmy Howard won the starting position in mid-season and kept the role until the end of the season. Jimmy Howard finished the 2009-10 season with excellent stats, ranking him in the top 5 in GAA and Save %, and finishing with a 37-15-10 record and a nomination for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. Howard gained more fame in the March 22, 2010 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins when he grabbed Sidney Crosby from behind and put his glove in Crosby's face, after Crosby repeatedly cross-checked Howard's teammate Henrik Zetterberg.
On April 14, 2010, Howard played in his first NHL playoff game, a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. On April 20, he recorded his first career playoff shutout, making 29 saves in a 3-0 win over the Coyotes. The Coyotes were eliminated by the Red Wings when Howard's first NHL playoff series went to seven games. The Detroit Red Wings were then eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in five games. Howard recorded a 2.75 goals against average with a .915 save percentage during the postseason.
Howard was also a 2010 Calder Trophy finalist, but was runner-up to Buffalo's Tyler Myers. Howard won the 2010 Detroit Red Wings-Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year Award.
Howard recorded a 21 save shutout in Detroit's season opener against the Anaheim Ducks to kick off the 2010-11 NHL season. On February 28, 2011, Howard signed a 2-year contract extension with the Red Wings worth $2.25 million per season. The Red Wings lost in seven games to the San Jose Sharks in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
On April 14, 2010, Howard played in his first NHL playoff game, a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. On April 20, he recorded his first career playoff shutout, making 29 saves in a 3-0 win over the Coyotes. The Coyotes were eliminated by the Red Wings when Howard's first NHL playoff series went to seven games. The Detroit Red Wings were then eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in five games. Howard recorded a 2.75 goals against average with a .915 save percentage during the postseason.
Howard was also a 2010 Calder Trophy finalist, but was runner-up to Buffalo's Tyler Myers. Howard won the 2010 Detroit Red Wings-Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year Award.
Howard recorded a 21 save shutout in Detroit's season opener against the Anaheim Ducks to kick off the 2010-11 NHL season. On February 28, 2011, Howard signed a 2-year contract extension with the Red Wings worth $2.25 million per season. The Red Wings lost in seven games to the San Jose Sharks in the 2nd round of the playoffs.