The Red Wings are getting an extended look at forward prospect Evgeny Svechnikov. (The Associated Press)

Red Wings' draft lottery chances can get better

As the Detroit Red Wings embark on a four-game Western trip, the focus isn’t on how far they can climb up the standings, it’s on how low can they go.

They’re certainly not trying to lose, but the further they drop the more they improve their chances of moving up in the draft through the lottery.

The Red Wings (26-31-11) are 26th overall and winless in six (0-5-1) heading into tonight’s game at San Jose (10:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). They could still drop a couple of places with 14 games remaining, especially during this trip, which continues with games against Los Angeles (Thursday), Anaheim (Friday) and Colorado (Sunday), teams competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Red Wings (63 points) are one point ahead of Montreal (62) and four ahead of Vancouver (59). It’ll probably take a massive fall to dip below Ottawa (57 points) and Buffalo (56). Arizona is last in the league with 53 points.

Here is what MLive readers asked this week:

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Justin Abdelkader tries to screen the Blues' Carter Hutton. (The Associated Press)

Free-agent options for backup goalie in 2018-19

What are the Wings going to do about a backup goalie next season? I'm not sold on Jared Coreau. Think they'll look to free agency or swing a trade? – Tracy

A: They likely will be seeking a backup goalie through free agency, on a one- or two-year deal. Carter Hutton of St. Louis might be the best option. He's 16-7-3, with a 2.02 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and three shutouts.

Others slated to become unrestricted on July 1 include Antti Raanta (Arizona), Anton Khudobin (Boston), Kari Lehtonen (Dallas), Jonathan Bernier (Colorado), Michael Hutchison (Winnipeg), and in all likelihood, Petr Mrazek (Philadelphia). Coreau, who will be unrestricted, too, hasn’t shown he can be a reliable NHL backup. The sample size is small this season (5.16 GAA, .865 save percentage in two appearances) but his numbers weren’t good in 14 games in 2016-17 (3.46 GAA, .887 save percentage).

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Jimmy Howard has one year remaining on his contract. (The Associated Press)

Jimmy Howard's future beyond 2018-19

Q: Will next season be Jimmy Howard's last here, or do you think they'll re-sign him while prospects like (Keith) Petruzzelli, (Filip) Larsson, (Kaden) Fulcher, (Joren) van Pottelberghe and (Chase) Perry develop and the team rebuilds? – L.L.

A: I can see them offering Howard an extension next season – one, maybe two years at between $3 million and $3.5 million a season. Howard, who'll be 35 when his current deal expires (one more year at a $5.3 million cap hit), would probably accept it.

None of those draft picks, plus Fulcher (a free agent), is close to NHL ready. The Red Wings’ options after 2018-19 are to re-sign Howard, sign a free agent or trade for a starting goalie.

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Evgeny Svechnikov is expected to remain with the Red Wings for the rest of the regular season. (The Associated Press)

Who will be the next recall from Grand Rapids?

Q: Will (Evgeny) Svechnikov be sent down when Frans Nielsen returns? How many recalls do the Red Wings have remaining and who do you think will be next up? – Randall

A: They said last week the plan is to keep Svechnikov until the end of the season to get a good look at him, even after Nielsen returns. Svechnikov would return to Grand Rapids for the AHL playoffs.

Nielsen (concussion protocol) practiced Sunday and hopes to return Thursday.

Svechnikov was not called up on an emergency basis as first indicated, he was the third of their four post-trade deadline recalls (Tyler Bertuzzi and Jared Coreau were the others, after being sent down in a paper transaction on Feb. 26 to become eligible for the AHL playoffs).

I don’t know who they’ll recall, but I’d give Filip Hronek a look. The mobile, right-shooting defenseman is having a good rookie season in the AHL (eight goals, 21 assists, plus-20 in 53 games). Joe Hicketts, who appeared in only game earlier this season with Detroit, is another possibility.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=himlDnvhjdY&t=30s

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The Red Wings hope Michael Rasmussen (27) makes the jump to the NHL next season. (The Associated Press)

Rasmussen penciled in for roster spot in 2018-19

Q: Do Michael Rasmussen and/or Dennis Cholowski have a realistic shot at making the NHL roster next season? – J.A.

A: They're counting on Rasmussen making the jump from juniors (WHL Tri-City Americans) to Detroit. The 6-foot-6 center, the organization's highest pick since 1990 (ninth overall in 2017), will play left wing as a rookie, like Dylan Larkin did, if he makes the roster. One of the reasons they traded Tomas Tatar to Vegas was to create a potential opportunity for Rasmussen.

It’s much more difficult for a defenseman to make the jump from juniors to the NHL. Cholowski, their top pick in 2016, will be playing in Grand Rapids next season.

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The Red Wings would like to re-sign defenseman Mike Green. (The Associated Press)

New deal looming for Mike Green?

Q: Was the Red Wings' reluctance to trade Mike Green an indication that he's coming back or that maybe they have an agreement in place? – Morty

A: There's a decent chance he returns, on a two- or three-year deal, at maybe a little less than the $6 million he's currently earning. They've already told Green they're interested in re-signing him. But that's not why he wasn't traded. He has a herniated disc that might require surgery and the three teams that were most interested in him (Tampa Bay, Washington and San Jose) apparently weren't willing to risk giving up much for him.

The Lightning had the most interest, but it cooled after he was injured (ironically, on a hit from Tampa Bay’s Adam Erne on Feb. 15) and Ryan McDonagh become available.

(If you have a Red Wings-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com.)