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Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist has nine goals this season and was named the NHL's second star for last week.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist is planning on going somewhere warm during the Olympic break, but he’d happily alter his itinerary for a trip to Sochi, Russia.

Nyquist is among three players on the Swedish Olympic team’s reserve list as it looks to replace the injured Johan Franzen. In addition, the status of Vancouver center Henrik Sedin for the Olympics is questionable due to bruised ribs.

Nyquist said Friday morning that he hasn’t heard from Swedish officials.

“That would be an unbelievable experience, to be able to go to the Olympics,” Nyquist said. “It wouldn’t be the way you’d want to get in, seeing one of your teammates hurt, not being able to go. I know Johan would have loved to go, but the situation is what it is. Obviously, I’d be more than happy to go.”

Nashville’s Patric Hornqvist and Washington’s Marcus Johansson also are on the Swedish reserve list.

Franzen withdrew from the Olympics on Thursday due to a concussion that has limited him to one game (last Sunday) since Dec. 15. He is not expected back until after the Olympic break (Feb. 9-24).

"Well, obviously, the whole thing’s been a tough break for the Mule," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Mule’s a man with two young kids; you need to be healthy for that first. Life is way more important than hockey so you need to get feeling good and it’s hard to have the kind of life you want unless you’re feeling good.

"So we got to get this looked after and then the next step would be for him to get his hockey back. But we got to be diligent about the process we’re going through so he can be healthy."

Nyquist said one of his goals at the start of the season was to make the Olympic team.

“I knew it would be tough for sure to get a spot but it’s something you had in the back of your head. It doesn’t come around too often. All the great players are going. It would be amazing experience for sure.”

Kindl returns after sitting out four games

Defenseman Jakub Kindl was slated to return to the lineup Friday against Washington after being a healthy scratch the past four games. He was to replace Brian Lashoff.

After leading the team's defensemen with a plus-15 rating in 2013, Kindl hasn't been as strong this season. He has a minus-11 rating, along with 11 points (goal, 10 assists) in 47 games.

Babcock said he needs to be competitive defensively.

"When you're perceived as an offensive guy you you got be an offensive guy, but in order to be an offensive guy you can’t play in your own zone," Babcock said. "That’s the big challenge for him.

"He’s really improved over the years and we think he can help our power play and yet our power play hasn’t generated a lot of points here in the last bit with him on it so other guys got their opportunities. You got to grab your piece and hang onto it."