Stephen-Weiss

Stephen Weiss has scored 20 or more goals in four of the past seven seasons.

(AP file photo)

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

Stephen Weiss

2012-13 team: Florida

Position: Center

Height/Weight: 5-11/190

Age: 30

Shoots: Left

2012-13 stats: (regular season) 17 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, minus-13 rating, 25 penalty minutes, averaged 18:27 in ice time.

Career stats: (regular season) 654 games, 145 goals, 249 assists, 394 points, minus-17 rating, 313 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 7 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, even rating, 6 penalty minutes.

2012-13 salary: $4.1 million.

Strengths: Good skater with offensive skills, the ability to set up teammates or finish himself. He has scored 20 or more goals four times in the past seven seasons. He's a two-way player. He has improved over the years in the faceoff circle, winning about 53 percent of his draws in recent seasons.

Weaknesses: Lacks size and strength.

Notable: Missed the final 26 games of the season due to a wrist injury. … He was the fourth overall selection by the Panthers in the 2001 entry draft. … Was often referred to as "Weisserman'' because of his similarities to former Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman. … Has appeared in the playoffs only once, in 2012, when the Panthers lost to the Devils in seven games in the first round. …. Toronto native who played three seasons with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL).

Why he would interest the Red Wings: They will need a second-line center to replace Valtteri Filppula, who is all but certain to leave as a free agent. Weiss has offensive ability and is good defensively.

How he could fit in with the Red Wings: He would center the second line, enabling Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to play together on the top line. He would play on the power play and penalty killing units as well.

What it might take to get him: Long-term deal (perhaps four years) at about $4.5 million a season.

It's a thin free-agent class. The Red Wings likely will need a second-line center. Is Weiss the best option? Are you concerned about his lack of size? Should they pursue someone like Mike Ribeiro, who is older (33) and would cost more but also has more offensive ability? Or, should they target a winger instead?