Report: Red Wings in the market for blue-collar defenseman

The Detroit Red Wings are looking to get mean next season.

The team is in the market for a blue-liner who can play a physical game and bring relief to some of the team's veteran defensemen, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman:

Hearing Detroit is looking for a defenceman who can take some of the physical responsibility from Niklas Kronwall. While the Red Wings like their prospects, they see too many similarities to what is already there. Wanted: someone with a bit of mean.

The Red Wings reportedly had interest in Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf at the trade deadline, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.

It was also reported that the teams could revisit that deal, and if that's true, Phaneuf could fill the role of "mean" that the team is looking for.