Red Wings won’t pursue defenseman Wade Redden, but could look at Cody Franson

The Red Wings continue to search for help on defense, but it won’t include Wade Redden. They could instead take a look at Toronto’s Cody Franson.

Another possibility is Franson, who probably can be had for a third or fourth draft pick. Franson, 25, is 6-foot-5, shoots right-handed, and only makes $1.2 million and is in the last year of a deal that will leave him a restricted free agent this summer. He has 71 points in 198 games with the Leafs and Nashville Predators.

Franson can play special teams and is a good deal more physical than Jakub Kindl. Franson could give the Wings a little more comfort with their second and third pairings, giving them options as far as where to play Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130117/SPORTS05/130117055/detroit-red-wings-wade-redden