"Someone is going to have to tell me I can't play anymore," Howard said.
Howard was 2-23-2 with an NHL career-worst 4.20 goals-against average and .882 save percentage in 27 starts this season. The two wins are tied for the second fewest in a season among goalies who played at least 25 games in NHL history (Michel Belhumeur was 0-24-3 with the Washington Capitals in 1974-75).
Howard, who can become an unrestricted free agent on Oct. 9, said he's been training for two months and discussed with his family the possibility of moving if playing somewhere close to home wasn't an option.
"I want to keep playing," Howard told The Detroit News on June 5. "This year left such a bitter taste in my mouth. I want to go out there and show people I can still play in this league. I know I'm capable.
"Honestly, there's so much up in the air. But at the same time, I've been around this game long enough to realize there comes a time when you have to separate ties. If that's the way it'll have to go, I've mentally prepared for that. My wife and I have talked about it a little bit, and if that's going to be the case, it'll have to be the case."
Howard did not win a game after Oct. 29, going 0-18-2 in his final 20 starts before the season was paused on March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. It is the second longest streak without a win since the shootout was implemented in 2005-06; Cory Schneider was winless in 22 straight starts (0-17-4) for the New Jersey Devils from Dec. 29, 2017 to Feb. 14, 2019.
The Red Wings had the worst record (17-49-5) and points percentage (.275) in the NHL, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth straight season after qualifying the previous 25.
"I personally don't believe I represent those statistics
