Red Wings' G Jimmy Howard won't request trade
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard said Friday he will not request a trade this offseason and wants to compete for the starting job next season.
Howard, 31, lost his starting job to Petr Mrazek late this season and in the playoffs, which saw the Red Wings lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in seven games.
Howard has four years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of about $5.29 million.
Howard missed 11 games with a groin injury and ended the season 23–13–11 with a 2.44 goals against average and .910 save percentage over 53 games (50 starts). He appeared in one period of the playoffs, allowing one goal on 12 shots in the 5–1 Game 2 loss.
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Mrazek, 23, went 16–9–2 with a 2.38 GAA and .918 SV% over 29 games (26 starts). Over his seven playoff appearances, Mrazek went 3–4 with 14 goals allowed on 186 shots (2.11 GAA, .925 SV%). He posted shutouts in the Red Wings' Game 3 and Game 5 wins.
Mrazek will be a restricted free agent this summer.
- Mike Fiammetta