Red Wings have no plans to trade Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard wants a chance to reclaim the Detroit Red Wings' starters role, and the team is prepared to accommodate that request.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will not trade the accomplished netminder "anytime soon" despite Petr Mrazek unseating Howard as the team's postseason starter last spring, reports Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News.

In addition to recent form, familiarity will be an advantage for Mrazek heading into the prospective in-camp competition. Jeff Blashill, who was tabbed to replace head coach Mike Babcock on Tuesday, rode him to a Calder Cup title with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2013.

Howard earned an All-Star nod with a 2.11 goals-against average and .921 save percentage through the first half of last season, but was unable to participate, or recapture his sterling form, after suffering a tear in his groin.

He stopped pucks at an .896 rate upon his return, prompting Babcock to roll with Mrazek in their seven-game series defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.