If you're a Red Wings fan hoping for a flurry of trades next month, don't hold your breath. The team doesn't expect to be very busy in advance of the Feb. 25 trade deadline.
Barring a surprise offer, GM Ken Holland will try to re-sign both players.
For Howard, who was named an All-Star earlier this month, a two-year deal is most likely. The Red Wings don't view his backup Jonathan Bernier as a starter and there isn't a goalie in the farm system that's close to being ready for the NHL.
As for the 29-year-old Nyquist, a trade was considered likely earlier this season. But the forward is in the midst of a career year with 40 points in 48 games and now the Wings would like to bring him back. He'd cost somewhere in the range of $5.5 million annually over at least three years.
There's a chance a desperate contender could cave to Detroit's demands on Nyquist or Howard when the deadline draws near -- Nyquist being the more likely of the two -- but the odds are slim. In the event the Wings receive an offer to their liking, Nyquist would have to waive his no-trade clause.
Other players likely to draw interest on the trade market are Mike Green, Thomas Vanek, Nick Jensen and Niklas Kronwall, the latter three of whom are pending free agents. But the Wings would like to re-sign Jensen and don't want to trade Kronwall -- a lifelong Red Wing -- in likely the final season of his career. And Vanek, in a down season, won't be worth much.
Green has the most value among them between his strong offensive numbers and his deal that runs through next season, but he wields a no-trade clause. He also carries the risk of injury.
The Red Wings are 13 points out of a playoff spot entering play Thursday night.