from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

So it remains an intriguing topic as the NHL looks toward the trade deadline Feb. 25. What will the Wings do with Jimmy Howard?

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in July, and with slim goaltending depth in the organization, the smart money says the Wings will re-sign Howard, who’ll be 35 just before the playoffs begin, for another two or three years.

But, what if, the Red Wings slip out of playoff contention, and Howard continues to play at the level he’s been playing at? There are contenders, or near contenders — Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Edmonton, Anaheim, Carolina, Calgary — that could use Howard as a starter or a Plan B, with their No. 1 option in question.

General manager Ken Holland wants a first-round draft pick to even begin thinking about dealing Howard.

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