Archive for the 'Johan Franzen' Category

Franzen Out 1 More Game

Published
by
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
by
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.

Johan Franzen’s Hat Trick

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 26, 2008
in Avalanche, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Playoffs, Valtteri Filppula and Video
. 0 Comments

For your viewing pleasure, Johan Franzen’s hat trick via NHL TV: (after the jump)
Continue reading ‘Johan Franzen’s Hat Trick’

4/10 Links

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 10, 2008
in Canadiens, Dan Cleary, Devils, Flames, Hockey Bloggers, Hockey Media, Johan Franzen, Links, Penguins, Playoffs, Predators, Rangers, Senators and Tomas Holmstrom
. 3 Comments

Update (6:42 PM): This a must-read for bloggers as well as journalists. It’s Deadspin so it’s got elements of NSFW-ness, but it has a message I think both sides of the debate over “New Media” need to hear.

This piece by Daryl Shilling, a former contributor here at OtW, is similar in philosophy.  - Matt

Update (6:01 PM): Slapshot has a great piece on the special hockey fervor in Montreal this season. - Matt

Update (5:24 PM): This is just a great piece of writing. - Matt

Update (4:29 PM): The guys at Orland Kurtenblog look at the “NHL Experts Picks” for the Wings/Predators series. - Matt

Update (4:18 PM): Heh. (via A2Y) - Matt

Update (4:16 PM): Steph has a preview of the Wings/Predators series posted. - Matt

Update (3:15 PM): This is great. For the background, read this and this. Kevin Schultz has a good response. - Matt

Update (1:25 PM): IwoCPO presents the keys to the Wings/Predators series. - Matt

… James Mirtle reacts to the first night of the playoffs.

… HockeyTownTodd comments on the Wings/Predators series as only he can.

… Rangers fans made a good showing as their team opened the playoffs across the river in New Jersey.

… The Flames beat the Sharks in Game 1. I’ll be honest. I didn’t see that one coming.

… This one, however, came as no surprise: Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa 0.

… Ansar Khan says the Wings aren’t looking past the first round. They’re also ready for the physical challenge of the post-season.

… This year’s under-the-rader player, Johan Franzen, is the subject of a Khan profile.

… Bruce MacLeod has a piece on the Wings’ big three net front players: Franzen, Dan Cleary, and Tomas Holmstrom.

… The Forechecker gives Predators fans reason to believe.

2/16 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on February 16, 2008
in Brian Rafalski, Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Johan Franzen, Lines and Niklas Kronwall
. 0 Comments

… Both Ansar Khan and Bruce MacLeod report that Jimmy Howard will start tomorrow in Dallas. He has not started an NHL game since December 13, 2005, when he was pulled after allowing three goals on sixteen shots during the Wings’ 7-6 loss to Atlanta.

Given that the Wings seem to play more carefully in front of the young goaltender, this is probably a good move. They have not been giving Chris Osgood much support and he could probably use a game off to regain confidence in his teammates.

… Dominik Hasek (hip flexor) will not make the trip to Denver and Colorado, and it does not look like he’ll be back until  next Saturday in Vancouver.

… Brian Rafalski (groin) will make the trip, but it looks like he won’t be back until Monday against Colorado.

… Niklas Kronwall (clavicle) is also going along with the team, but Khan says he won’t be back until the Calgary game on Friday at the earliest.

… With Kronwall and Rafalski remaining out, Kyle Quincey will stay with the team at least one more game.

… Khan also provides some mixed-up lines that Babcock tried in practice:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Filppula-Zetterberg-Samuelsson
Kopecky-Draper-Maltby
Hudler-Drake-Downey (Ellis working in)

As he points out, that top line skated together at the start of the season prior to Franzen’s knee sprain.  As I wrote when Dan Cleary went down, Johan should benefit greatly from inheriting a larger role in Cleary’s absence. Let’s hope he takes advantage of the move to the top line.

1/25 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on January 25, 2008
in Ducks, Fabian Brunnstrom, Johan Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk and Senators
. 2 Comments

… George Malik breaks down the latest on the burgeoning Fabian Brunnstrom saga.

I’d say he has a solid chance of signing with the Wings, given the quality of the organization and the presence of the Swedes. However, they won’t necessarily be able to guarantee him a spot on the roster. From what I’ve read, he’s not expected to take the League by storm right off the bat, but is projected to be a “solid” second- or even first-line forward. The precedents for immediate jumps to the Wings upon arrival in North America on the Wings are Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Johan Franzen. Brunnstrom can’t match the former two, but he could be the next Franzen, I suppose. I’m just not sure where he’d fit in.

If he wants to be an NHLer right away and can’t take a year in Grand Rapids or another in Sweden, he may not be the Wings’ man.

… Ted Kulfan touches on the Brunnstrom story and Cleary’s eye today, but the most interesting part of his Red Wings Notebook is the short section on Johan Franzen, who is becoming a better shutdown forward all the time.

… One of the events at the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills competition tomorrow night is a breakaway contest. Alexander Ovechkin told USA Today’s Kevin Allen that he thinks the Wings’ own Pavel Datsyuk will win. No argument there, Alex.

… From the “huge steaming pile of BS” category: The Hockey News reports that Teemu Selanne is expected to return to Anaheim as early as next week. Not that this hasn’t been expected since the summer, but the fact that the Ducks will have two key players back just a little before and a little after the halfway point is repulsive.

It was one thing when Peter Forsberg did it years ago due to injury, but I don’t like the precedent the two Ducks are setting, sitting out when healthy. In a cap world, it’s particularly cheap, as it gives the Ducks relief despite the fact that they’ll have those players when they need them most.

…  Daniel Alfredsson put up seven (7) points last night against Tampa Bay. I’d call that a big “up yours” to Vincent Lecavalier.

… Apparently, Sergei Fedorov is becoming something of “an inspirational leader” in Columbus, as this post by the Columbus Dispatch’s  Aaron Portzline indicates.  As an old Sergei fan, that’s always good to hear.

… Of all the insane rumors swirling in the Toronto media about candidates for the Leafs GM, there’s finally one I can get behind: Mike Milbury says Brian Burke is interested in the job. I say that’s great. Leave Anaheim, Burke. Go to Toronto. Then maybe we’ll see the resurrection of the Wings/Leafs rivalry. (Update: This has since been debunked.)

Hasek to start versus Chicago

Published
by
Matt Saler
on November 16, 2007
in Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, Jimmy Howard, Jiri Hudler, Johan Franzen and Links
. 6 Comments

Kind of a non-news item, but Ansar Khan reports that Dominik Hasek will start tomorrow night. He may or may not be backed up by Chris Osgood, who had to skip practice today because of the flu. If Osgood isn’t better, the team will have to call up Jimmy Howard.

Also, it looks like Jiri Hudler is being rewarded for his production of late, as he skated with the second line today while Johan Franzen was relegated to the fourth.

I apologize for not posting yesterday. A slow day new-wise and a school/work responsibilities sort of dictated that.

11/5 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on November 5, 2007
in Andreas Lilja, Brett Lebda, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Derek Meech, Dominik Hasek, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Lines, Links and Valtteri Filppula
. 2 Comments

Update (2:45 PM): Ansar Khan reports that Johan Franzen will wear a visor at least until the laceration (from taking the puck to his face off Brett Lebda’s stick Thursday) on his face heals, and maybe even after that, “to make his mom happy.”- Matt

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Niklas Kronwall (groin) did not practice today and will not be in the lineup Wednesday against Nashville. The Free Press’ George Sipple quotes Mike Babcock as saying, “He looks like he might be (ready) on Friday” for the game with Columbus.

More from MacLeod:

… Dominik Hasek (hip) has recovered and will be evaluated after tomorrow’s practice to determine the starter Wednesday.

… It looks like Jiri Hudler saw some time with Henrik Zetterberg today. He also practiced as part of the second power play unit with Dan Cleary, Johan Franzen, and Valtteri Filppula. So, his banishment to the fourth line does not extend to practice.

… On top of practicing special teams, the Wings focused on 2-on-2s and 3-on-2s.

… With Kronwall still out, Andreas Lilja will have the benefit of being paired with the smooth-skating Brett Lebda once again and Derek Meech will be paired with Chris Chelios for another game.

… Aaron Downey, Dallas Drake, Matt Ellis and Tomas Kopecky rotated on the fourth line. You have to wonder if there won’t be a change to the lineup with the team preparing to face Jordin “Hit High, Hit Hard, Run Away” Tootoo. Personally, I’d like to see Aaron Downey patrolling the ice Wednesday night.

Hudler gets shafted, again

Published
by
Matt Saler
on November 4, 2007
in Jiri Hudler, Johan Franzen and Mike Babcock
. 6 Comments

Mike Babcock has bumped Jiri Hudler off the second line in favor of Johan Franzen, despite having scored twice in the last three games, including the game-winner in Vancouver. So, he’s getting going and that earns him a demotion?

Over the two games since his return from a knee injury, Franzen has zero points and only two shots. So, at this moment in time, Hudler is out-performing him. Why is Johan the one moving up, then?

This quote from Babcock tells it all:  “I like his skill and his shot. I like him, period.” It boils down to who Babcock likes and who he doesn’t, and it’s obvious that he doesn’t like Hudler. I’m a Franzen fan myself. I like his shot and his skill, too, but I thought this team was about earning spots. I guess not.

Jiri will evidently get power play time, which is pretty fair compensation, but he’ll spend his even strength minutes with Tomas Kopecky and Dallas Drake. Is there any Red Wing less suited to a fourth-line checker role?

10/29 Injury Update

Published
by
Matt Saler
on October 29, 2007
in Aaron Downey, Chris Osgood, Dallas Drake, Derek Meech, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Johan Franzen and Matt Ellis
. 0 Comments

I was wrong in my assessment yesterday: both Ansar Khan and Helene St. James report that Johan Franzen and Dallas Drake will return to the lineup tomorrow night in Edmonton. Their return will come at the expense of Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey, who Babcock told Khan would be scratched. Sucks for those two, but their positions on the team are replacements, so I guess it isn’t really that big a surprise that they’d get pushed out once everyone’s healthy. Apparently, Franzen will center the fourth line with Drake and Tomas Kopecky on the wings.

Neither Niklas Kronwall (groin) nor Dominik Hasek (hip) practiced so they won’t be back tomorrow night.  So, Chris Osgood should get another start, and Derek Meech will get another game under his belt.