DETROIT – The protection list the Detroit Red Wings submitted for the expansion draft was what many anticipated – with one notable exception.
In a surprise move, the Red Wings protected goaltender Jimmy Howard, leaving Petr Mrazek available for the Vegas Golden Knights, whose selections (one player from each team) will revealed Wednesday during the NHL Awards (8 p.m., NBCSN).
Howard, 33, is eight years older than Mrazek and despite coming off a stellar season, probably would not have been claimed due to his age and contract (two years remaining at a $5.3 million cap hit).
Mrazek, despite struggling for a year-and-a-half, excelled earlier in his career and has a bigger upside.