At this stage Zaitsev isn’t worth a 1st rounder. Your cap space is also too low. But, the ideas are good in terms of how to get things moving.

Can not see Wings trading one year of Fransen on IR for an overplayed RHD. Wings in rebuild and will need cap space in future for younger defensemen in system. Also we have had enough of overpriced slow defensemen like Daley, Ericsson and have several younger faster guys who will need spots to come up to big club like Hronek, Cholowski, Sulak, McIssacs and Lindstrom.

1st rounder? If you mean 5th rounder, I see where you're coming from. I do not think Zaitsev is very good, but when listening to TML fans, they say that could be a lot better if he was playing in a role he was more suited to, which is the best explanation for his really good "rookie" year. I think Detroit would give him an opportunity to play in the more offensive role he could accel in. Therefore, I think Detroit may be willing to move a lower pick to acquire someone who could potentially help them now and in the future.

As for cap space, they can build a 23 man roster that's under the upper limit. One thing that may work is if they trade Brown for a pick, therefore not taking any money back and spending it on re-signing Ron Hainsey, who would likely be cheaper. I'd rather have Benning than Hainsey though, even if he is like 500k more

Franzen retired because of Post-Concussion Syndrome so he is on LITR for the remainder of his contract. Meaning Detroit gets his full cap hit back if needed so there absolutely no reason to move him. With Detroit's log jam on defense you'd have to take Daley or Ericsson to make room for Zaitsev and his awful contract. If you want Detroit to take Zaitsev the price is Liljegren. Now I'm pretty sure Toronto won't give up Liljegren but the chance of Detroit taking on Zaitsev are about the same as.