Back in December, it was reported that the Detroit Red Wings were seeking a first-round pick as part of any return for impending free agent goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard had been enjoying a hot start to the season and looked like the top keeper on the trade market, but a first-rounder still seemed like a chance. Since then, Howard has continued to play well, but the market has changed. Teams continue to drop out of the playoff race earlier than usual, with some contenders also proclaiming a lack of interest in the rental market, creating a strong buyer’s market. The situations surrounding other impending free agent goalies like Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovksy, Colorado’s Semyon Varlamov, Calgary’s Mike Smith, and Edmonton’s Cam Talbot have also continued to deteriorate and Howard no longer seems to be the clear cut top starter on the market. Statistically, he is still the best option to this point in the season, but the lofty goal of a first-round return seems less likely than ever.
Don’t tell that to Red Wings GM Ken Holland. Ansar Khan of MLive.com reiterates that the team is holding out for a first-round pick for Howard and would rather continue negotiating an extension with their longtime netminder than trade him away for anything less. However, Khan now adds that forward Gustav Nyquist is being given the exact same treatment. Despite Detroit’s struggles this season – the team is currently sixth in the Atlantic Division and 13 points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot – Howard has played very well while backup Jonathan Bernier has faltered and Nyquist has been the team’s second-best forward behind Dylan Larkin by a wide margin over the rest of the team. The Red Wings certainly have plenty of reason to want to retain both players moving forward, hence the high asking price to give up on those aspirations.
However, a first-round pick for Nyquist may not be so outlandish. With 40 points on the year, Nyquist is tied for fifth among impending free agent forwards. Of those around him, San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski is not going anywhere and Columbus Blue Jackets star Artemi Panarin seems unlikely to move as well. Both the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres would prefer to re-sign Mark Stone and Jeff Skinner respectively as well. This means that Nyquist could potentially be one of the top rental forwards available alongside the likes of Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel, Kevin Hayes, and Micheal Ferland. Such a label could be enough to garner a first-rounder for the Red Wings, if they’re still willing to move him. At this point, it seems more likely that Detroit extends both Nyquist and Howard than trades both, but as long as the team stays open to moving them at the right price, the fluctuating market could always change those plans.
Way to much of an asking price. A first round for Howard. Wow Detroit good luck getting that deal done
Can’t blame them for asking.
Realizing Nyquist & Howard are Detroit’s only two real UFA trade chips, it still seems like Kenny Holland is stuck in the glory years of the Red Wings being a powerhouse. This season there are plenty of teams willing to dump players, and if he’s not careful he will be stuck making a chump trade come the deadline, or worse just letting them both walk. Clock is ticking.
It would be nice to package them together to a contender making a run. That’s really the only way I see a decent return back.
Kenny got a 1st 2nd and 3rd for Tatar and no one saw that coming. I know Tatar was a different situation and a better player but Holland needs one more good move before Stevie comes back to town.
They got 3 picks for Tatar & one was a late 1st rounder. Teams giving up a 1st rounder are not giving up a lottery pick it’s so late in the 1st round it’s practically a 2nd round pick.
A late first rd pick is still a first rd pick. Have you looked at that picks numbers so far? I know it’s only the Q league but he’s dominating. He will be a solid Red Wing soon enough. Talented players will fall.
I’d take the gamble on that rather than lose Howard and Nyquist for nothing.
Ken Holland taking a cue from Pierre Dorion. Ask for BOTH the sun & moon! What’s the worst that can happen? The other teams say NO! loudly & often! AND, you’re stuck with two guys you wanted to get rid of. Ken, this is the salary cap (crap) era and very few teams can overpay for ANY trades! Some will, but not to that level of stupidity. I know what you’re thinking — it only takes ONE team to be that far out-to-lunch. Whoever that GM is better be well-stocked with asbestos underwear then.
Most likely what will happen is nyquist for a 3rd and nothing for Howard and Wings resign him in off season.