Franson signed a two-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL on Wednesday, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avangard's challengers should expect additional bumps and bruises the next two seasons, as physicality and grit have been the staple of Franson's game. He amassed 987 hits to go along with his 212 points (43 goals, 169 assists) over 550 career NHL contests split between the Maple Leafs, Predators, Sabres and Blackhawks, respectively.

Franson landed on the waiver wire Monday, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franson is averaging a mere 14:03 of ice time in his four games back from injury and was a healthy scratch versus the Oilers on Sunday. The blueliner was getting looks on the power play during this stretch, which makes the move to waive him a little surprising. If he clears -- which is by no means guaranteed -- the 30-year-old figures to be reassigned to the minors -- having last played in the AHL during the 2009-10 campaign -- although he could decide to ask for his outright release rather than reporting to Rockford.

The Blackhawks activated Franson (upper body) from injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Franson was cleared to play on Dec. 20, but he's remained on IR up until now because Chicago simply hasn't needed him with Jordan Oesterle stepping up and playing well on the right side in his absence. However, the Blackhawks placed Artem Anisimov (upper body) on IR on Friday, which opened up a spot on their roster for the 2005 third-round pick. Franson's next opportunity to crack Chicago's lineup will come Friday against the Oilers.

Franson (upper body) will not be in Thursday's lineup that will face the Stars, though he has been cleared for action, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jordan Oesterle excelling on the Hawks' blue line in Franson's absence, head coach Joel Quenneville decided to give the veteran some additional time to get back to speed before returning to game action. Now healthy, Franson will become another member of Chicago's defensive stable that's competing for minutes again. Both Franson and Oesterle are capable of playing on the right side and contributing on the power play, so they'll likely be in direct competition with one another for a spot in the lineup.

Franson (upper body) is close to returning, and may be back in the lineup Thursday against the Stars, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franson was putting up a somewhat surprising performance before his injury, notching seven points and 43 shots on net in 19 games. The veteran defenseman has missed four games with this injury, but you can probably expect him back in the lineup Thursday.

Franson (upper body) wasn't on the ice for Saturday's practice, which indicates he won't be available for Sunday's matchup with the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old blueliner will almost certainly miss a fourth consecutive game Sunday due to the upper-body injury he suffered on Dec. 8 against the Sabres. Jordan Oesterle has played well in Franson's absence, so the veteran defender could be the odd man out once he's cleared to play.

Franson (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The journeyman, who's belonged to four different clubs since the Predators originally selected him in the third round of the 2005 draft, will at least miss Thursday's game against the Jets in Winnipeg due to his IR status. In a corresponding move, the Blackhawks recalled Ville Pokka from AHL Rockford.

As expected, Franson (upper body) will miss a second consecutive game Tuesday against the Panthers, NHL.com's Charlie Roumeliotis reports.

EDGE Analysis

The severity of Franson's ailment remains unclear, but the veteran blueliner should be considered questionable at best for Thursday's matchup with the Jets at this juncture. Jordan Oesterle will continue to occupy Franson's spot in the lineup until he's given the green light to return.

Franson (upper body) is doubtful for Tuesday's home game against the Panthers, Eric Lear of the Blackhawks' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news came from Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, who added, "He looked like he was in some pain out there," presumably referring to Friday's game against the Sabres, when Franson sustained the ailment and was limited to a season-low 8:48 of ice time. Consider the veteran day-to-day until further notice.

Franson (upper body) will miss Sunday's home tilt against Arizona, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franson likely suffered the injury Friday against Buffalo, when he saw less than nine minutes of time on ice. After having initially struggled to crack the Chicago lineup, Franson has earned the trust of head coach Joel Quenneville, who's deployed Franson on the top pairing as of late. With Franson unavailable, Jordan Oesterle will suit up against Arizona.