The Red Wings will look to move either Jimmy Howard (left) or Petr Mrazek this off-season.

(AP file photo)

DETROIT - As teams prepare for moves prior to the NHL expansion and entry drafts next month, many general managers will gather next week in Buffalo for the scouting combine.

That's where Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland expects trade talk to perk up.

The Red Wings would like to move one of their goaltenders - Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek - prior to submitting their expansion draft protection list on June 17, and in the process shed a significant salary.

Holland said after the season that he will "explore all options" in moving a goalie and confirmed on Saturday that hasn't changed.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Holland said. "I'll work the phones."

Holland denied telling Grand Rapids Griffins radio announcer Bob Kaser that he intends to trade Mrazek. A clip of their interview is making the rounds on the Internet (and posted below). Kaser, while off the air, asks Holland about trading Mrazek. Kaser didn't realize his microphone was on.

"When the radio interview ended, he said to me, 'I'm hearing a rumor you're trying to trade Petr Mrazek,' " Holland said. "I didn't say anything. I didn't respond."

Kaser said likewise.

"Kenny didn't say a word, plus his microphone wasn't even on," Kaser said. "Even if he would have said something you wouldn't have heard it.

"I asked him, 'Is there any truth to the rumor you're going to trade Petr Mrazek?' He had no response, which I didn't expect him to. My relationship with him is good enough to where I felt comfortable asking him that, but it was more to get a reaction out of him. He wouldn't have answered anyway, certainly not in that setting.

"I listened to it, too, and I could see where people would hear it and think, 'Maybe there's something going on here.' But there's nothing to it at all."

The market could dictate which goalie the Red Wings trade, if they're able to move either.

They were unable to move Howard last off-season due to his hefty contract and bad season. But he rebounded in 2016-17 -- third in the NHL in goals-against average (2.10) and second in save percentage (.927) in 26 games (he missed 21/2 months with a sprained MCL). That could increase interest, but he still has two years remaining on his contract at a $5.3 million cap hit.

Mrazek, despite his poor season (3.04 GAA, .901 save percentage), likely would draw more interest because he's 25 - eight years younger than Howard. He has one year remaining on his contract at $4 million and will be a restricted free agent in 2018, so he remains under club control.

But there are few teams seeking a starting goalie, and there are options in free agency, including Petr Budaj, Steve Mason, Brian Elliott, Michael Condon and Jonathan Bernier.

If the Red Wings don't trade a goalie before the expansion draft, it makes more sense to protect Mrazek, who is more apt to be selected than Howard by the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's possible both could be on Detroit's season-opening roster.

"We need goaltending to be a strength," Holland said. "I thought Jimmy Howard had a good year. Petr Mrazek is still a young guy. He played lots of good games, played his best hockey the last third of the season. but he was inconsistent. Can attribute it a little bit to age.

"If we end up with both guys at training camp, we need both guys to have great years."

The Red Wings also have prospect Jared Coreau, who has helped the Griffins reach the AHL Western Conference finals, where they have a 3-1 series lead over San Jose heading into Game 5 tonight at Van Andel Arena. Coreau it not exempt from the expansion draft and will not be exempt from waivers next season.