DETROIT -- Johan Franzen (torn ACL on Oct. 8) has practiced with the Detroit Red Wings for several days and said he feels "pretty good."



"I push more and more every time I'm out there, so I'm going to try to do more and more in practice, try to be in more drills," Franzen said. "Still no battles or anything like that. I'm pretty comfortable with starts and stops."



Franzen said he has no target date for his return but didn't rule out the possibility of coming back before the Olympic break (Feb. 15-28).



Asked if he is hoping to be added to the Swedish Olympic team as an injury replacement, Franzen said, "It doesn't really matter. I don't have a spot. I think we'll know soon enough."



Lidstrom not focused on future

Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who told general manager Ken Holland that he won't decide on his future until after the season, said, "It's on the back burner. I'm not thinking about it now. We have more important things to think about than my contract."



Babcock said he thinks Lidstrom's decision will hinge on the strength of the team.



"If the team's good, we got a way better chance that he'll continue to play," Babcock said. "If the team's not good, we don't have any chance he'll continue to play. That's just my thoughts. No one's told me that."



Kronwall to have ultrasound

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall hasn't skated since Dec. 20 and hopes to learn more about the condition of his sprained left MCL after his ultrasound Tuesday.



"I'm hoping to get some answers within these next few days and go from there," Kronwall said.



He does not think his setback is because of over-exertion.



"I don't think it's about pushing too hard at all," Kronwall said. "There's certain things that don't feel right. We've been trying to take things slow and not do too much. For some reason, we haven't been able to figure out exactly what it is."



Ericsson, Holmstrom target return dates

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (bone bruise in left knee on Dec. 14) is hoping to return on Thursday.



"It's getting better every day, not huge improvements, but a little better,'' Ericsson said. "I don't think we want to take any big risk. I'm a little limited. I can't really do an extra little push, small things, quick movement, reaction-type things.''



Tomas Holmstrom (fractured foot) hopes to return Jan. 26 or 27 as he lamented the irony of his injury sustained after practice on Jan. 6.



"I'm been tipping pucks for 14 years, 150 pucks after each practice, sometimes you get hit and bruised, but nothing broken,'' Holmstrom said.





