As it stands, the Calgary Flames are 13-8-1 which is currently good enough for the No. 3 seed in the NHL’s Western Conference.
But they have a problem with goaltending.
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In 13 starts this season, Flames goaltender, Mike Smith has struggled to get the job done, as he has allowed 3.48 goals per game and has an abysmal save percentage of .876.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Flames could soon be looking to trade for a goaltender and Detroit Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard could be high on their list.
From Sportsnet:
Howard’s .922 save percentage in 14 games is one of the better marks in the league and he’s playing behind one of the most porous defence units that allows 35.2 shots against per game. Only twice this season has Howard allowed more than three goals a game and those came in his third and fourth starts of the season.
He makes $5.2 million against the cap, which is a million more than Smith, but is a UFA at season’s end.
“That’s the one guy I looked at,” Friedman said. “If you really go up and down the teams and look at who’s really available and who can be had out there, he’s probably your best option. There has been rumours, and I stress they are rumours, that he was looking at signing a short-term extension with the Red Wings, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
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So far this season, Howard, who was originally drafted by the Red Wings in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Draft, has been outstanding this season. Though his overall record is only 6-6, Howard has a 2.64 goals against average, which is pretty darn good considering he is facing over 35 shots per game.
Nation, what do you think, would you like to see the Red Wings trade Jimmy Howard to the Calgary Flames or would you rather he stick around in Detroit?
