Detroit Red Wings Trade Deadline Chatter: Who is staying, who is going?
By Bob Heyrman
Jimmy Howard- Going
Jimmy Howard was the lone Detroit Red Wings representative in this year’s All-Star game in San Jose, CA. Although Larkin has been the Detroit Red Wings top player each and every night, Howard hasn’t found himself too far behind. He’s ranked third in the league with a .931% save percentage in the league during even strength play.
A lot of NHL teams are in the market for a starting goaltender, and Jimmy Howard can provide some stability in goal for a playoff team. At the very least he can be an insurance policy for a club with only one reliable goaltender. Howard is in the final year of his 5.25 million per season deal and will be shopped around heavily in the coming weeks.
Earlier in the season, Wings General Manager Ken Holland expressed his desire to land a first round pick in exchange for Jimmy Howard’s services. Holland also expressed his eagerness to resign Howie.
It would make much more sense from an organizational point of view to deal Howard now and try and resign him on July 1st when he becomes a free agent. The organization would potentially be able to acquire draft picks and or prospects and still have Howard in net next season. It will be hard for Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings to land a first round pick for Howie but a second round pick isn’t the worst return for a soon to be a 35-year-old netminder.
In recent years Howard had started to break down physically and found himself sidelined with various injuries. He’s been healthy this season and has posted excellent numbers. Good enough to get the call for an All-Star appearance. If Holland decides to re-sign Howard without exploring a trade, it will be a horrendous mistake.
I like Jimmy Howard and appreciate his effort every night. He’s been a stalwart member of the Detroit Red Wings organization his entire career. Sometimes moving a player is better for the franchise than being too loyal, in my opinion with the Wings in the midst of a rebuild, filling the cupboard full of prospects and draft choices is more important than a straight resigning of a 35-year-old goaltender.
In 34 starts this season Howard has a season record of 15-13-5 with a very respectable .916% save percentage and a 2.76 goals against average.
My potential landing spots: Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers.