If Red Wings’ Holmstrom can’t play in Olympics, Team Sweden might replace him with Franzen

Holmstrom’s injury might open up spot for Franzen

DETROIT — Red Wings coach Mike Babcock says Niklas Kronwall will not play against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and Tomas Holmstrom is questionable because of knee injuries.

If Holmstrom doesn’t get healthy soon, Team Sweden might replace him on the roster with a Detroit teammate when Olympic rosters are set Monday.

Swede Johan Franzen had an assist in a shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, playing for the first time in four months since having surgery on his left knee.

Franzen said he recently told Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson how he feels and plans to give him another update this week.

Holmstrom hurt his left knee Saturday in his third game after missing almost a month with a broken foot.