Howard announced his retirement Thursday, MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard spent the entirety of his career with Detroit, compiling a 246-196-70 record while posting a .912 save percentage and a 2.62 GAA in 543 appearances. The 2003 second-round pick will finish his playing days ranking third on the Red Wings' all-time list for games played and wins for a goaltender.

Howard will announce his retirement in the next couple days.

EDGE Analysis

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada reported that Ken Holland of the Oilers reached out to Howard to try to solve his team's goaltending woes and Howard turned him down flat. He's loving life with this kids and has started paperwork for retirement. The two-time All-Star played his whole career with Detroit and sits third all-time in wins (246).

Howard will not be re-signed by the Red Wings, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard saw action in 27 games for Detroit this season in which he posted a 2-23-2 record with a career-worst 4.20 GAA and .882 save percentage. If the netminder decides to continue playing next year, he could be a decent backup option for a team in need of a veteran No. 2 option. Without a clear starting spot, the Syracuse native is unlikely to provide much in terms of fantasy value.

Howard only has two wins behind a 4.20 GAA and an .882 save percentage in 27 starts this season.

EDGE Analysis

Detroit's historically poor season is well documented, though few could have predicted the veteran would lose his starting job to journeyman Jonathan Bernier. Howard -- who will turn 36 years old next Thursday -- is cashing out the balance of a one-year, $5.1 million contract with the Wings; he'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Howard got the hook in Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Wild after allowing five goals on 17 shots.

EDGE Analysis

Howard lasted just 12:05 into the second period before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier. Bernier was less busy but hardly more effective, as he also posted a sub-.800 save percentage with two goals allowed on nine shots. Starting a Red Wings goalie in fantasy, especially after the team's trade deadline selloff, is just asking for trouble.

According to Ansar Khan of MLive.com, Howard was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate, which suggests he'll get the start in goal in Thursday's home matchup with Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Howard had another disastrous outing in his last start Feb. 16 against Pittsburgh, surrendering four goals on just 16 shots before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier in the second period of the eventual 5-1 loss. The 35-year-old backstop will try to bounce back in a home matchup with a Wild club that's 12-15-2 on the road this year.

Howard stopped 12 of 16 shots before being replaced midway through the second period of Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

He really had no chance on any of the four goals, but Howard still got the hook as coach Jeff Blashill tried in vain to change the game's momentum. The veteran netminder is still looking for his first win since Oct. 29, and on the season Howard is saddled with a 4.08 GAA and .886 save percentage.

Howard will tend the road goal for Sunday's matchup versus Pittsburgh, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has deserved a much better fate in his past five games, as he's gone 0-5-0 with a 3.49 GAA and .914 save percentage. The 35-year-old will draw a tough matchup against a Penguins offense that ranks eighth in the league in goals per game this campaign (3.27).

Howard made 42 saves in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Columbus' final goal was scored into an empty net. Howard set a new season high for saves in one of his strongest performances of the year, but it was all for naught as the Detroit offense couldn't get anything going. The veteran netminder remains winless in his last 18 outings, and on the season Howard is a stunning 2-21-2 with a 3.98 GAA and .889 save percentage.

Howard will guard the goal during Friday's road matchup with the Blue Jackets, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard hasn't picked up a win since Oct. 29 against the Oilers, posting a disastrous 0-15-2 record while registering a 4.56 GAA and .871 save percentage in 17 appearances since that date. The 35-year-old American will attempt to defy the odds and snap his unbelievably lengthy losing streak in a tough road matchup with a hot Columbus club that's gone 4-0-1 in its last five games.