DETROIT - Petr Mrazek was the Detroit Red Wings' unquestioned No. 1 goaltender heading into the 2016-17 season and a building block for the future.

Things change quickly. Mrazek now could be the odd-man out, after the club left him exposed for the expansion draft, protecting instead Jimmy Howard, who is eight years older.

Vegas won't necessarily claim Mrazek when its selections are revealed Wednesday (8 p.m., NBCSN), since more attractive options are available, including Marc-Andre Fleury of Pittsburgh and Antti Raanta of the New York Rangers. But the Golden Knights could take Mrazek and attempt to trade him, which the Red Wings were unable to do.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland declined to comment Sunday on his protection list or explain his reason for exposing Mrazek, saying it does him no good since all the players will be back except one.

Holland confirmed he has no side deals in place with Vegas GM George McPhee, and it doesn't sound like he's inclined to do so.

"We had a tough year. We're trying to build our team," Holland said. "I'm not spending any future assets to hang onto players."

Leaving Mrazek exposed may have had more to do than with just his performance, but it still was the wrong decision from an asset management standpoint, if they lose him for nothing. Howard, who is 33 and has two years remaining on his contract at a $5.3 million cap hit, surely would not have been taken by Vegas. But the Golden Knights might roll the dice on Mrazek, either to keep or deal after the dust settles (teams losing a goalie to Vegas might look for a replacement).

It shows how far Mrazek has fallen from grace. If he's not claimed, the Red Wings will continue trying to find a new home for the 25-year-old throughout the off-season and into the regular season.

The Red Wings seemingly soured on Mrazek due to a combination of performance and attitude.

Mrazek struggled this past season, going 18-21-9, with a 3.04 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. He couldn't string together a series of solid starts and surrendered a soft goal in most of his outings.

Howard, meanwhile, excelled, posting a 2.10 GAA and .927 save percentage, ranking among the top five in the NHL in each category. Howard's 10-11-1 record reflected a lack of offensive support. He would have started more games than Mrazek if he hadn't missed 21/2 months with a knee injury.

Howard impressed the front office by working hard to get himself in the best shape and rebounding from a bad season.

Mrazek's decline started in mid-February of the previous season. He was dominant during a six-week stretch, going 10-2-2, with a 1.28 GAA, .949 save percentage and three shutouts. He briefly led the league in GAA and save percentage.

But, since Feb. 14, 2016, his 24th birthday, Mrazek has a 3.13 GAA, .898 save percentage and one shutout in 66 appearances during the regular season.

Some of that can be attributed to the below average defense, but it's the same group that Howard excelled behind.

After losing the starting job late in the 2015-16 season, Mrazek provided some hope by taking over for Howard in Game 3 of the playoffs against Tampa Bay and giving the team a chance to win, with a 1.35 GAA, .945 save percentage and one shutout in three starts.

But he couldn't maintain that level, even after the club replaced long-time goaltending coach Jim Bedard with Jeff Salajko, who had a good relationship with Mrazek in Grand Rapids.

Part of the reason Mrazek's luster has faded could be due to deportment issues that can be traced to contentious off-season contract negotiations (they settled on a two-year, $8 million deal; Mrazek will be a restricted free agent in 2018).

Mrazek was not happy the Red Wings were unable to trade Howard in the off-season and let the club know in less-than-tactful terms.

Mrazek has always had a swagger and air of confidence, which appealed to the Red Wings. But sometimes he's too cocky for his own good, some in the organization believe. He became increasingly difficult to coach last season, they said.

Jeff Blashill's decision to start rookie Jared Coreau in the outdoor game in Toronto spoke to the attitude adjustment the team was seeking from Mrazek.

The decision to expose Mrazek was a slap in the face to the young goalie. But the saga isn't complete.

If Vegas doesn't claim Mrazek and he isn't dealt in the off-season, he'll be competing with Howard for the starting job in training camp.

Where Mrazek's career takes him from there is up to him.