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NHL rumors: 5 goaltenders the New Jersey Devils could trade for

By Brad Berreman

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild gets ready to make a save against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild gets ready to make a save against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Jimmy Howard
Mandatory Credit: Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images /

1. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

Howard has been the subject of trade rumors, and in March the Red Wings signed him to a one-year contract extension for the 2019-20 season. So even with Detroit putting some sort of eye on making a push for a playoff spot next season, the 35-year old still stands as a potential trade chip.

Howard’s surface numbers from last year don’t look especially good (3.07 goals against average, .909 save percentage). But 30 of his 52 starts qualified as a quality start, a stat created by Rob Vollman of Hockey Abstract and measured as starts with a save percentage better than a season as a whole or at least an .885 save percentage when facing 20 shots or fewer in a game. So Howard gave the Red Wings a chance to win on a regular basis.

A $4 million base salary and cap hit for next season, with another $1.1 million available via bonuses for games played and team playoff success, would obviously be no problem for the Devils to take on. Keeping Schneider to form a veteran tandem with Howard would be fine, but the playing time split should tilt toward Howard.

Related Story. 5 teams who could trade for Henrik Lundqvist. light

The Red Wings may not want to move their veteran goaltender, and Howard seems to have a lingering desire to spend his entire career with the only NHL team he has ever known. But as the Devils consider a dip into the trade market for a goalie, they could make an offer Detroit just can’t refuse.

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