Cody Franson

Cody Franson's role diminished and his offensive production declined after he was traded from Toronto to Nashville.

(The Associated Press)

(MLive.com periodically will profile a potential Detroit Red Wings free-agent target until the start of free agency on July 1).

Cody Franson

2014-15 team: Nashville

Position: Defense

Height/Weight: 6-5/213

Age: 28 on Aug. 8

Shoots: Right

2014-15 stats: (regular season) 78 games, 7 goals, 29 assists, 36 points, minus-7 rating, 28 penalty minutes, averaged 19:37 in ice time; (playoffs) 5 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, even rating, 0 penalty minutes, averaging 14:36 in ice time.

Career stats: (regular season) 400 games, 35 goals, 134 assists, 169 points, plus-1 rating, 134 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 28 games, 4 goals, 11 assists, 15 points, plus-2 rating, 2 penalty minutes.

2014-15 salary: $3.3 million

Strengths: His offensive ability. He moves the puck well, has a good shot and can quarterback the power play.

Weaknesses: He's not widely regarded as a strong defender, lacking consistency. He registers a fair number of hits but isn't overly physical.

Notable: Spent most of last season with Toronto, getting traded to Nashville on Feb. 15 with Mike Santorelli for Olli Jokinen and a first-round pick. ... His 29 assists and 36 points were career highs. ... His role was diminished in Nashville, which has a strong defense. He had just one goal and four points in 23 games with the Predators. His power-play and penalty kill minutes were trimmed sharply. ... He drafted by Nashville in 2005 (third round, 79th overall) and traded to Toronto on July 3, 2011, with Matthew Lombardi for Robert Slaney, Brett Lebda and a fourth-round pick. ... He was part of Canada's 2007 World Junior Championship gold medal-winning team.

Why he would interest the Red Wings: They need more offense from the blue line and a right-handed shooter. Franson is young, and chances are his best years are ahead of him.

How he could fit in with the Red Wings: He could play on the top pairing with Niklas Kronwall or the second pairing with Danny DeKeyser. He could join Kronwall on the first power-play unit or lead the second unit. His long reach could make him an asset on the penalty kill.

What it might take to get him: Based on the contract Jeff Petry signed with Montreal (six years, $5.5 million per season), Franson likely will command at least $5 million per season for five or six years.

Three key questions: 1. Is Franson capable of producing more points or has he reached his ceiling? 2. Should the Red Wings commit big money and a long term to a player who might not be a top-pair defender or should they seek a better alternative? 3. How imperative is it for the Red Wings to have a right-handed shot among their top four defensemen?

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