Howard signs one-year contract to stay with Red Wings

NEW YORK -- Jimmy Howard signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

The goalie, who turns 35 on March 26, could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1..
"It means a lot," Howard said after making 41 saves in a
3-2 win against the New York Rangers
at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. "This is the only organization I know. I love playing for the Wings. My family loves living in Detroit. It's very special."
Howard was selected by the Red Wings with the No. 64 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. He is 240-171-68 in 509 NHL games and 21-26 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He is 19-20-5 with a 3.05 goals-against average and .908 save percentage this season.

Howard represented the Red Wings in the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game.
"It's very special to be able to prolong my career here in Detroit," he told the Red Wings website. "I'm just happy to be here."
Howard said he told general manager Ken Holland he'd be fine with a one-year contract because the Red Wings have been good to him throughout his career and he didn't want to put them in a difficult position. Howard also said he didn't want to go anywhere else, calling Detroit "home."
Howard could keep signing one-year contracts as long he plays. Backup Jonathan Bernier, who is signed for two more seasons, is expected to return next season.
"It totally makes sense to me," Howard said of the one-year contract. "I'll turn 35 here in a week, and from there on out I'm fine with one-year contracts."