Defenders Detroit Red Wings Should Target to Solidify Stanley Cup Candidacy

The Detroit Red Wings are the third-best team in the Atlantic Division and are all but a lock to make the playoffs.

Despite the numerous injuries to players like goaltender Jimmy Howard, winger Johan Franzen, center Stephen Weiss and so on, Detroit has continually found ways to bounce back and overcome the odds; however, the team still could use some additions in order to solidify its position as a Stanley Cup contender.

The biggest area is on the blue line, and Detroit really should beef up its defense before the trade deadline in order to ice the best possible roster for the playoffs. With that in mind, here are defenders the Red Wings should hone in on.

Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes

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The bottom-dwelling Carolina Hurricanes have no need for defenseman Andrej Sekera, and the Red Wings' blue line would receive a major boost by dealing for him. The Red Wings are set with left-handed shots, but Sekera would be able to slide into a second-pairing role with ease.

Sekera is a solid defenseman that logs important minutes, and he has shown the ability to produce offensively. His advanced analytics are also very good, and he'd instantly become the second-best defender on the Red Wings.

Cody Franson, Toronto Maple Leafs

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The Red Wings have been looking for a right-handed defenseman for a while, and Cody Franson could be a perfect fit. He's got size at 6'5" and a booming shot that would help the power play. Prying him from the Toronto Maple Leafs could be tough, but the Wings have a number of young prospects that could attract the interest of general manager Dave Nonis.

With 29 points in 48 games, Franson is clearly a talented offensive defenseman, and adding him to the ranks would significantly strengthen Detroit's status as a cup contender.

He is an impending free agent, but he is the type of player Detroit would try and add via free agency, so it could be worth the risk to trade for him and then attempt to negotiate an extension.

Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk aren't getting any younger, and this year could be one of Detroit's top chances of winning a Stanley Cup for the first time since 2008.

Josh Gorges, Buffalo Sabres

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Josh Gorges is playing for a terrible Buffalo Sabres team that will be a prime player in the McEichel sweeps, and they could look to shed some veteran players at the deadline. The 30-year-old blueliner has three years left on his contract, worth $3.9 million per year, and he would have to waive his no-movement clause.

While Gorges isn't an offensive juggernaut, he can log big minutes and play a physical game that wears down the opposition. Gorges would probably welcome the opportunity to contend for a Stanley Cup, and his ability as a shutdown defender would bolster the Wings defense in a big way.

Andrew Ference, Edmonton Oilers

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TheFourthPeriod.com reported that there is a chance the Edmonton Oilers could deal their captain before the trade deadline, and if that is the case, general manager Ken Holland should be interested. Andrew Ference is a proven Stanley Cup champion defender and a solid veteran leader. 

Ference logs big minutes, is a solid skater and plays larger than his 5'11", 187-pound frame would suggest. While the Red Wings could really use a right-handed defender, a player of Ference's caliber would certainly increase Detroit's chances of contending for the Stanley Cup because of what he would add to the lineup.

Keith Yandle, Arizona Coyotes

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The Red Wings have an interest in acquiring Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, according to TheFourthPeriod.com, and he would be an amazing addition to the roster if Holland could pull it off. Yandle is an elite offensive defenseman in his prime at age 28, and he would fit in well with the Red Wings.

His mobility, puck handling and howitzer of a one-timer would really bolster the power play, and he'd help the Red Wings' five-on-five offense as well. Yandle would cost a pretty penny, but it would be an investment for the remainder of this season and next year.

Detroit has enough assets, such as Tomas Jurco, Ryan Sproul, Teemu Pulkkinen, Riley Sheahan and so on, to consider dealing, so there's a chance a deal could actually come to fruition.