The Wings have been patient with Howard since drafting him back in 2003 .
Howard has to clear waivers now in order to be sent down to Grand Rapids , which makes Howard the No. 2 netminder in Detroit after Conklin departed for St. Louis in free agency .
The Wings have been patient with Howard since drafting him back in 2003 , but he has to clear waivers now in order to be sent down to Grand Rapids , which makes him the No. 2 netminder in Detroit after Conklin departed for St. Louis in free agency .