from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
Jimmy Howard has had better statistics in seasons past, but some in the Detroit Red Wings organization believe the longtime goaltender is having one of his better seasons.
That is why they want to sign him to a contract extension.
But they also realize he could be a valuable trade chip as the Feb. 25 deadline approaches. They would like to acquire a first-round pick for him. That seems unlikely, unless the starting goalie for a Stanley Cup-contending team suffers a season-ending injury in the next four weeks.