Just thinking that Sproul age 23, and Jensen age 25, would not get a very high return as you suggest. Are they just AHLers? Howard, probably wouldn't waive his NTC and with his contract is he really going to worth a second rounder. Not exactly sure on the type of RFA Mrazek is, but either he signs a one year contract for price you suggested or if his salary could be matched by another team, he's going to get a lot more than 2.7m a year.

I agree with the Mrazek contract, and have since changed it, don't know what I was thinking there. But I stand by both trades.

Jensen is an NHL level defenceman, and could probably step into most rosters and be a reliable 3rd pairing guy, he's just been the victim of Detroit's defensive logjam for years. Sproul is a big and talented defensive prospect, not something the Penguins have. Maybe you take the 4th away and maybe you drop the 2nd to a 3rd, but they're valuable assets (especially to a team like the penguins).

As for the Howard trade, keep in mind that Martin Jones was traded for a mid 1st round pick. If Howard had a low risk contract he'd be worth at least what Jones was, but his contract would drop his value to around a 2nd, depending on the team and their needs. Starting goaltenders are valuable assets, especially for a team that has had the goaltending issues that Calgary has.