For the moment, the price for Jimmy Howard appears to be high.

The Detroit Red Wings have made it clear they want at least a first-round draft selection in exchange for the veteran goaltender, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote Wednesday.

Howard is a pending unrestricted free agent who boasts a .923 save percentage in 22 games this season. The 34-year-old's contract carries a cap hit of $5.29 million.

In late November, TSN's Darren Dreger reported that the St. Louis Blues were keeping tabs on Howard, but that the netminder would come at a considerable cost.

Howard's in his 13th NHL season - all spent with the Red Wings.