Red Wings keep Howard off free-agent market with 1-year extension

The Detroit Red Wings signed goaltender Jimmy Howard to a one-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

Howard's deal comes with a $5.1-million average annual value, but $1.1 million is based on playoff bonuses, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. If the Red Wings don't make the playoffs next season, Howard would receive no bonus and only get his $4-million salary, McKenzie adds.

The veteran goalie, who will turn 35 next week, has spent his entire career in the Motor City. He owns a .908 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average in 48 games this season.

Howard was set to hit the open market this summer and would've been a part of a free-agent goaltending class headlined by Sergei Bobrovsky, Robin Lehner, and Semyon Varlamov.

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