Cody Franson

Cody Franson is on pace for his most productive season and figures to cash in this summer.

(The Associated Press)

(Editor's note: The Detroit Red Wings are in the market for a defenseman, preferably a right-handed shooter. MLive periodically will profile possible candidates leading up to the March 2 trade deadline)

Cody Franson

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Age: 27

Height/Weight: 6-5/213

Shoots: Right

2014-15 stats: 52 games, six goals, 25 assists, 31 points, minus-6 rating, 26 penalty minutes

Career stats: 374 games, 34 goals, 130 assists, 164 points, plus-2 rating, 132 penalty minutes

Contract: In his final season at a $3.3 million cap hit. He'll be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Pros: He has good offensive ability and moves the puck well. He can quarterback the power play and has a tremendous point shot. He also kills penalties.

Cons: Not particularly strong defensively; second on the team in giveaways. Not a great skater. Not overly physical for a big man.

The bottom line: The Red Wings have liked Franson since he was in Nashville. He would slide right into their top four, and even though their power play is flourishing (first in the NHL), it wouldn't hurt having a right-handed shot.

But they won't overpay for a rental. With several teams looking for defensive help at the deadline and right-handed shooters at a premium, the Leafs should be able to get at least a second-round pick as well as a good prospect or young roster player.

Maybe Toronto, being out of the playoff picture, wouldn't have an issue trading within the Atlantic Division and dealing with an old rival. But would the Maple Leafs want to help a team whose coach (Mike Babcock) they covet, a coach they inquired about last summer and one they undoubtedly will make a pitch for if he's available after the season? The Leafs might feel they have a better shot at landing Babcock if the Red Wings lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Franson is on pace for his most productive season, and his timing couldn't have been better. Much like Matt Niskanen did last summer, Franson could get a deal worth more than $5 million per season in a weak free-agent market in July.

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