The Detroit Red Wings and GM Ken Holland have long sought a top-tier, right-handed defenseman.
Even last season, prior to the March trade deadline and their eventual and wholly unexpected acquisition of David Legwand, the Wings were scouring the NHL landscape for blueliners, according to a report from Craig Custance of ESPN.
This season, the desired outcome is no different, with Holland stating loud and clear that he has zero interest in lower-tier players - though he also said he's not open to moving a player like Dylan Larkin
"I'm not going to pay a price to bring in someone to be a sixth or seventh defenseman or bottom-six forward," Holland said recently, per Custance.
So, who would the Leafs have interest in?
Per Custance, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle are the top two names to watch.
"Toronto would like to keep Franson around, but typically the closer contract extension negotiations get to the end of the season, the harder they are to get done," Custance reported. "If he's not signed before the deadline, GM Dave Nonis has to move Franson. Toronto isn't in a position to lose an asset without getting something in return. Besides being a coveted right-hand shot, Franson provides the offense from the back end that Holland likes out of his defensemen."
Franson has 29 points - a total that would lead all Detroit blueliners. The Red Wings also have the cap space to sign him to a long-term deal.
He has said that his preference is to stay with the Leafs, but he continues to reject offers, the most recent of which carried a $4.6 million annual value, per a report from The Fourth Period.
As for Yandle, he's got one more year on his deal, so he also wouldn't just be a rental. While he's a left-handed shot and Holland prefers a righty, his addition would be a serious upgrade overall.
"He's a legitimate top-pairing defenseman, and despite the depth of young talent in the organization, the defensemen coming in Detroit don't project quite that high...The cost would be significant. If I'm Coyotes GM Don Maloney, this deal doesn't get done without including high-end Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha. Considering the Red Wings' depth of youth on the wing, it's a price they should consider."
The Wings remain one of the biggest surprises in this NHL season. Presumed by many to be entering a rebuilding or retooling phase, the team has instead had an unexpected run of success which, if current form holds, seems to portend a postseason berth.
Perhaps Holland will make a significant addition in the near future to ensure that run up and into the playoffs.
