Red Wings will not bring back Jimmy Howard

Steve Yzerman confirmed on Thursday that the Detroit Red Wings will not be offering Jimmy Howard a contract this offseason.

Yzerman said he has told Jimmy Howard the Red Wings will not offer him a contract before free agency. The Red Wings will look for a goalie in the free agent market.— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) October 1, 2020

Howard has been the workhorse goalie for the Red Wings for most of the past decade, but he struggled mightily last season. The 36-year-old went 2-23-2 last season, with a 4.20 GAA and .882 SV%. While some of this could be to blame on how bad Detroit was as a team last year, those numbers are absolutely awful at the NHL level.

Howard figured that his time in Detroit was likely over after his down season, especially considering his age, but he is confident he can find his game again and play on another team at the NHL level.

“This year has left a very bitter taste in my mouth,” Howard said back then. “I feel I can still play in this league. I want to go out and prove that.”

The Red Wings will need to find a goalie to play with Jonathan Bernier, who still has one more year on his contract. There are a plethora of goaltenders on the market, all of whom Detroit could definitely look into. Some possible fits would be Robin Lehner, Jakob Markstrom, Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford.

Howard will likely sign with a team looking for a cheap veteran goalie, and with many teams looking for a goalie, don't be surprised if he finds a team somewhat quickly.

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES