Red Wings Trade Nyquist To Sharks; Is Howard Next?

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Photo credit Detroit Red Wings right wing Gustav Nyquist (14) celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Just a month ago, it seemed the Red Wings were headed toward a quiet trade deadline. Maybe they were bluffing. 
After dealing Nick Jensen to the Capitals on Friday, Detroit traded Gustav Nyquist to the Sharks early Monday morning in exchange for a 2019 second-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in 2020. 

The third-rounder becomes a second-rounder if the Sharks advance to the Stanley Cup Finals this season or if they re-sign Nyquist. 

Nyquist, 29, is a pending unrestricted free agent. He's enjoying career year with 49 points in 62 games. He scored his 16th goal of the season on Sunday, ironically, in a loss to the Sharks.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was eyeing extensions for both Nyquist and Jensen, but talks never made much progress. Rather than potentially letting them walk this summer, he was able to move them for more assets in the draft. 

He's in the same boat with Jimmy Howard, who's another candidate to be dealt ahead of Monday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. The 34-year-old has a .910 save percentage and a 2.88 goals against average in 42 games. 

Holland is said to be seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Howard, although that was also his asking price for Nyquist. If he lowered his demands for one, he could very well do the same for the other. 

The Red Wings now have 10 picks in the 2019 draft, including three second-rounders.