from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
General manager Ken Holland indicated on Friday he does not anticipate signing goaltender Jimmy Howard, another impending unrestricted free agent, before the deadline.
The Red Wings had been seeking a first-round pick for Howard, which seems unlikely given the limited market for goalies. Would they accept a second-rounder?...
Howard, who does not have a no-trade clause and has a cap hit of $5.3 million, also has expressed his desire to remain in Detroit. None of the organization’s goalie prospects is close to being NHL-ready. The Red Wings are expected to get a deal with Howard, whether it’s before the end of the season if he’s not moved or on July 1 if he is traded.
The Red Wings are not expected to trade two other pending unrestricted free agents, defenseman Niklas Kronwall and forward Thomas Vanek.
Kronwall had drawn some interest from Toronto, but the Red Wings believe he has earned the right to finish his career in Detroit if he chooses, and he has not indicated he wants to be moved.
Vanek, whom the Red Wings traded to Florida two years ago at the deadline for a third-round pick, has a no-trade clause and probably wouldn’t garner more than a low draft pick anyway.
Checking center/winger Luke Glendening might draw interest – Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock wanted him last year – but the Red Wings value what he brings, so it would probably take a significant offer to pry him loose.
The Red Wings likely would move defenseman Trevor Daley if they could. But interest figures to be limited since he’s 35, has battled injuries and has one year remaining at a $3.17 million cap hit ($2.2 million salary).
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