The Detroit Red Wings are on break until Monday, their bye coming just days before the March 1 trade deadline could alter the makeup of the team.
One factor that plays into trades this year is the expansion draft, as teams face losing a player to the Vegas Golden Knights because only so many players can be protected. Teams can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, or eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and a goaltender. Vegas must pick at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies, but can only pick one player from each of the existing 30 NHL franchises. The expansion draft is June 21. Protection lists are due June 17. Vegas must submit selections by June 20.
The Wings are expected to use the 11-player formula. Today's focal point: Goaltenders.
Protect: Petr Mrazek, but only if he continues to shore up his game. It is problematic he has lost the starting job two years running. A big reason why the Wings are out of the playoff picture is how poorly Mrazek has played much of this season. He finally has started to look good his past handful of starts, although he's still giving up one bad goal a game. His numbers _ 2.98 goals-against average, .902 save percentage in 37 games _ disappoint more in light of the Wings declaring Mrazek the No. 1 guy last summer. He is under contract through next season, at $4 million.
Expose: Jared Coreau, Jimmy Howard. If Mrazek does not trend in the right direction the rest of the season, then protect Coreau and expose Mrazek. Coreau has been as inconsistent as Mrazek _ in 13 games, Coreau has two shutouts, but also a 3.27 goals-against average and .893 save percentage _ but Coreau is a lot cheaper, signed through next season at just $612,500. Howard was playing the best hockey of his career when he was injured in a collision on Dec. 20, with a 1.96 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in 17 games. He is also going to be 33 on March 26, and he has two years left on a contract with a $5.3 million cap hit.
Worth noting: Coreau is finishing up his fourth year of pro hockey, ending his waiver exemption. The Wings need to shed one goaltender, if not through the expansion draft, then via trade. If Howard is able to come back and continue playing as well as he was, it would help his trade value. If not, Mrazek could be shopped, and the Wings would go into next season with Howard and Coreau.
