Wings could part with Howard

[A.E]

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland is an interesting fellow when it comes to goalies -- even though he was a goalie himself. He doesn't like to spend big on netminders, so he has an interesting situation ahead of him as Jimmy Howard is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. While most other clubs would re-sign a young goalie like Howard, it seems very possible that the Wings will let Howard walk if he demands too much money.

We saw a flash of that possibility when the Wings almost brought in Evgeni Nabokov. As the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James writes, "The move can also be read as a message directed at starting goaltender Jimmy Howard, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. While the Wings would like to keep Howard, they've just told him he isn't their only possibility, especially not if he demands much north of around $2-2.5 million a season."

It will be quite an interesting negotiation between Howard and the Wings this summer. Any other club would probably pony up at least $2.5 million for a goalie like Howard, but the Wings have shown that they'd rather invest money on defense than in goal.

Definitely a harsh reality for Red Wings fans...they just don't like to pay goalies a lot of money. The Wings would rather have an above-average veteran and surround him with a star-studded defence...and this shit has worked for them. I'm convinced that we will see Nabokov in a Wings' uniform sooner or later and when that happens, he will be a very inexpensive move. The Wings can lock up Nabby for under $2M per, moving forward, and then they're going into the trade market with a huge bluechip like Howard.

Colorado needs to pick up the phone and make a call to Detroit.

 

[.infamous]

I knew this was gonna happen lol. But yeah we dont like spending money on goalies. So if Howard wants the money he is gonna have to look else where because he isnt gonna get it from Detroit.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

I bet Detroit wishes he was a RFA so they could at least get compensation for him. However I wouldn't go north 3.0 to 3.5 Million for him.

 

[RipCity32]

IDK why but I'm not even that fond of Howard.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

IDK why but I'm not even that fond of Howard.

He definitely hasn't been playing well for the most part this year, he's allowing quite a bit of goals, but generally the Red Wings offense scores enough to win. He's been struggling, it wouldn't surprise me if he's not in Detroit next year.

 

[sheed]

If I were Howard I would say fuck it and take the $2 million or so a year on like, a 3 year contract. Because he is only like 25 and he would be on a contender for all of those years. Then, after that contract is up, get the big money from another team, or even us if we are willing to offer him more.

 

[A.E]

Young guys usually aren't thinking about wins over money. The Red Wings always manage to find good veterans, with plenty left in the tank, that will take cheaper deals in order to play for a cup contender.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Anyways they also have Thomas McCollum in their system