Category Archive for ‘Johan Franzen’ at On the Wings

Archive for the 'Johan Franzen' Category

TSN: Franzen to miss 3-4 weeks with knee sprain

Published

on October 26, 2008

. 1 Comment

Megan and I didn’t get back from the Griffins’ home opener* until the start of the third period of the Wings/Hawks tilt, so we missed the knee-on-knee collision between Chicago’s Brent Sopel and Johan Franzen. Needless to say, we were less than thrilled at the news that the play had resulted in the Mule having to leave the game.

The news from TSN comes as a relief, however. A month is a fair result when it could have been six or more. What’s unfortunate is Franzen had been picking up where he left off in the post-season. With Henrik Zetterberg feeding him the puck, I wouldn’t think he’ll have any trouble continuing to put the puck in the net when he returns, but you never know.

* On the Griffins: they looked pretty good in the first period last night, putting up four goals on the Bulldogs before letting the Montreal affiliate come within one over the course of the rest of the game. They may actually put up a decent record this year.

On some of the Wings’ main prospects: Justin Abdelkader looked good in his “hometown debut,” though a boarding penalty tarnished that a bit. He stood up for himself in a fight just after that hit, and I thought he was solid in both ends when he wasn’t getting jumped. Ville Leino looked good as well, as did Jonathan Ericsson. Jimmy Howard wasn’t bad, but will have to be better. Matthias Ritola was the rink’s #1 star of the game.

OtW favorite Aaron Downey wouldn’t have been too noticeable except for the fact that there was one donkey in the crowd near us who took it upon himself to scream insults at Downey every time he was on the ice. This went on for a while early on until the “fan” got a couple beers in him and quieted down.

An explanation of Johan Franzen’s injury

Published

Matt Saler

on June 7, 2008

in Injuries and Johan Franzen

. 1 Comment

Helene St. James reports that Johan Franzen had what is called subdural hematoma, or what amounts to a bruise on the brain. He had to wait until the “collection of blood” went away before he could do any physical activity.

Thank God that’s over and done with. I was a little concerned when I a Ken Holland comment after Game 6 that Franzen did not have a concussion. The question obviously was, “What was it, then?” It was still a serious problem, but fortunately it’s not something long-term.

5/25 Johan Franzen Update

Published

Matt Saler

on May 25, 2008

in Injuries, Johan Franzen, Links and Playoffs

. 2 Comments

Bruce MacLeod reports that the team expects Johan Franzen to return to the lineup within the week. That puts his return date at Saturday at the latest. Franzen could be back Monday, but a return Wednesday in Pittsburgh may be more likely.

With the success of Valtteri Filppula’s line in shutting down Evgeni Malkin last night together with the secondary scoring from Mikael Samuelsson and Dan Cleary, the Wings can afford to delay Franzen’s return a little.

5/23 Johan Franzen Update

Published

Matt Saler

on May 23, 2008

in Injuries, Johan Franzen and Playoffs

. 0 Comments

Update (7:15 PM): Via Bruce MacLeod, Johan Franzen confirms that he will not play in Game 1. - Matt

Update (3:21 PM): Bruce MacLeod has a further update on Franzen here. Johan is still doubtful for Game 1, though to Mike Babcock, he looks ready. The team still expects him to play at some point in the Finals. We’ll just have to wait and see. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that Johan Franzen participated for a few shifts in the 5-on-5 battle drill with the second line (Valtteri Filppula and Dan Cleary) after starting practice with “spare parts” Aaron Downey and Mark Hartigan. He was held out of contact drills.

As MacLeod notes, the fact that he took part in the 5-on-5 drills is a good sign and could make Johan a game-time decision tomorrow. He didn’t skate full-time with the second line, but if he has no setbacks tomorrow morning, the temptation to put him in will be huge. I say get him in there as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Also, Chris Chelios practiced with Derek Meech, so he’s not likely to play in Game 1.

Johan Franzen skates

Published

Matt Saler

on May 22, 2008

in Injuries and Johan Franzen

. 0 Comments

Update (7:17 PM): DetroitRedWings.com has the official take on Franzen. - Matt

Update (2:56 PM): An interesting claim from Helene St. James:

I just found out Johan Franzen has been cleared to practice and will do so tomorrow, indicating he’ll play Saturday when the Red Wings host the Penguins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals.

She’s going off Mike Babcock’s comments from earlier this week and assuming the team will put Johan in as long as he has a couple practices under his belt. It’s certainly possible, though it’s probably safer to operate under the assumption that he’ll be out at least one more game. - Matt

Update (1:43 PM): On an update to the post from below, Ansar Khan has more on Franzen from Mike Babcock:

“He’s going to be available. I don’t know at what point. I don’t think in Game 1, but at (some point) after that. He’s ready to go. … He’s just got to get the OK (from doctors (sic)).”

Great news. Bruce MacLeod confirms, writing that Franzen has been cleared to practice tomorrow. Babcock made sure to tell the media that the delay is due to the doctors, not him. - Matt

Update (1:29 PM): Bruce MacLeod reports that Franzen hit the ice after practice. He skated with the Grand Rapids call-ups (Jonathan Ericsson, Kyle Quincey, Jimmy Howard, Cory Emmerton, Jakub Kindl, and Mattias Ritola). He promises an update later if Franzen speaks with the media.

Also, IwoCPO questions the media on their coverage of Franzen’s situation. - Matt

Update (12:29 PM): Helene St. James has just a little more, including the news that Johan has been without headaches for a few days. That’s news to me. Based on the reports, I thought he was just having mild headaches rather than the earlier bad ones over the past couple days. - Matt

Update (12:25 PM): Ansar Khan reports that Johan Franzen worked out off the ice today. Khan has no comments from Franzen himself, but he did speak with Ken Holland, who told him that Johan saw a doctor again today. He also confirmed that he is doubtful for Game 1, though he remains day-to-day.

As for the rest of the Finals?

“The hope is he’s going to be ready sometime in the series. No one has said to me he’ll be ready to go. He’s working out, no setbacks.”

It is odd that Franzen has not been cleared, despite the fact that Holland says earlier in his statement to Khan that he has no headaches. - Matt

Ted Kulfan reports that Johan Franzen took to the ice yesterday for a light skate. It was the first time he’s been out there since being sidelined by what the team is calling “concussion-like symptoms.” He has not yet been cleared to go all out, but he appears to be making progress. Ken Holland described him as “feeling better.”

He remains doubtful for Game 1, however. Apparently, that’s mostly due to the fact that he has not practiced in almost two weeks. Mike Babcock said earlier this week that Franzen would “play the day he’s cleared,” but that was obviously a bit of a stretch. He’s only done off-ice exercises since Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and will have to get back into game shape.

Now to the issue of that rumor that’s going around town. If you haven’t heard it, it says that Franzen has played his last game because of some serious brain problem and that the Wings are waiting to announce it until after the playoffs. To me, that seems to be just a little bit alarmist. Sure, there seems to be something strange about this whole thing, but I don’t see any reason to believe the worst until more comes out.

If Franzen’s career really is over, I see no reason for the team to keep up the illusion that he’s going to return for the Finals. Why not just say he’s done for the season and tell the full truth later? It’d be much easier to keep the secret that way.

For now, I’m just going to assume that the Wings are just being extremely cautious with Franzen, who has a head injury no matter which story is true. Whether it’s a career-ending deal or a run-of-the-mill concussion, head injuries are not something you screw around with. The Wings can afford to be cautious and it looks to me like they are taking the opportunity to be so.

5/16 Notes

Published

Matt Saler

on May 16, 2008

in Injuries, Johan Franzen, Playoffs, Stars and Valtteri Filppula

. 3 Comments

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Valtteri Filppula did not practice today. That’s something that has become more frequent lately as Fil deals with late season and playoff injuries. Ansar Khan says he’s expected to play tomorrow.

… MacLeod also says Johan Franzen also did not skate. No surprise there, as he was only cleared for off-ice conditioning on Wednesday.

… Speaking of those two, MacLeod has an interesting piece up on his blog about the Wings’ sudden lack of secondary scoring.

To be sure, that is a concern, but certainly not the end of the world. The Wings’ top line is the most complete in the League and will be extremely difficult for their prospective Finals opponent, Pittsburgh, to stop.

That said, goals from other sources would be great. I’m with Nick Lidstrom on that.

… George Sipple reports that the Wings told him today that the Finals will be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. It’s possible that the round could start Thursday if both teams wrap up their series this weekend, but Saturday is probably more likely in that case.

… Steve at Kukla’s Korner has the information you need if you’re concerned that Game 5 tomorrow will go into overtime and conflict with the Preakness. Basically, if you’re in a Detroit or Dallas coverage area, NBC will stay with the game. If you’re not, you’d better hope you have Versus.

… Alanah at Kukla’s Korner has the transcripts of media Q&A’s with Mike Babcock, Tomas Holmstrom, and Nick Lidstrom.

… According to Mike Heika, Bill McCreary will officiate Game 5. Heika’s concerned that there will be repercussions for comments made by Brenden Morrow in which the Dallas Stars captain accused McCreary of anti-Mike Fistric bias in Game 1. Whatever. McCreary has not been kind to the Wings in the past, so I’m sure it will all “even out.” Evening things out is what the NHL is about, right?

On Johan Franzen

Published

Matt Saler

on May 15, 2008

in Injuries, Johan Franzen and Links

. 3 Comments

My latest at the FanHouse is on Johan Franzen, who will not return to the lineup for Game 5.

Franzen Out 1 More Game

Published

Sarah Baker

on May 10, 2008

in 2007-2008, Injuries, Johan Franzen and Playoffs

. 0 Comments

Well that was a nasty surprise at the beginning of the game there, wasn’t it? Just sitting there with my Wings gear, all excited for some Playoff hockey, and the announcer goes and rips my heart out. “By the way, your top scorer/Conn Smythe candidate with hands 10,000 degrees hotter than the sun is not playing tonight. Have fun!” Yeah those weren’t his exact words but they may as well have been. Anyway, looks like the Mule is going to be out at least another game. This gem of a quote from Holland (via Bruce McLeod) explains everything :

He got hit in the Colorado series and he’s been having headaches. Nothing significant, but he’s been having headaches. And finally after Game 1 (Friday) morning, he mentioned to the trainers that he’s having headaches.

In case you didn’t catch that, it appears that Franzen is experiencing headaches. Apparently he’ll undergo tests on Monday to ensure that he’s not concussed from a hit early in the Colorado series. Anyway, here’s hoping he’s back for game 4.

More conference calls

Published

Matt Saler

on May 7, 2008

in Chris Osgood, Johan Franzen, Links, Nick Lidstrom and Quotes

. 0 Comments

Kukla’s Korner has the transcript of the Johan Franzen, Nick Lidstrom, and Chris Osgood conference call here. I like Osgood’s comments about the six-day layoff, but the highlight of the the call comes from Johan Franzen:

Yeah, records, I don’t want to talk about the records. I just want to win eight more games this season.

Kukla’s also has the transcript from the Ken Holland and Mike Babcock call. The highlight of this one is Babcock’s commentary on Nik Kronwall, which included this gem:

But the dimension that makes him different than Rafi and Nick is he’s out there hunting you down. He’s looking for you. He’s going to get somebody in this series, I guarantee it.