from Helene St. James,

The Detroit Red Wings want to improve their defense and are looking at Wade Redden as a possible solution.

The decision is being discussed internally, especially with assistant coach Tom Renney, who coached Redden in 2008-09 with the New York Rangers.

The Rangers made a big splash signing Redden to a six-year, $39-million deal in 2008, but things got so sour after two seasons that Redden spent 2010-11 and '11-12 in the minors. The Rangers have until Saturday's start of the 2013 season to buy out his contract, which would give Redden, 35, a shot at finding a new employer.

The Wings have some interest in him, but that's likely to be matched by the dozen or so other NHL teams that need help on defense. Redden's assets are his size -- 6-feet-2, 205 pounds -- and an offensive touch that saw him reach 50 points in 2005-06 and follow up with two straight 36-or-more-point seasons.

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On a side note, Redden was placed on waivers today.