Johan Franzen

[wingsownnhl43 14]

It seems like everyone has been really understanding about him not playing, and rightfully so, he was arguably our best player down the stretch. But, literally no one on this board has taken the antagonistic opinion.

I, however, am somewhat upset that he is out for game 1 against Pittsburgh. I understood that we didnt want to take any risks with him against Dallas, as we clearly outmatched them and that doctors wouldnt even let him practice, but my god, this is the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought hockey was the sport where players gutted it out and played without the OK from the doctors? He says he feels fine, he is practicing, why can't you play in game one of a CHAMPIONSHIP round? Isn't this why you play the game? What every hockey player dreams of?

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

[seeinred 1,488]

Simply put, because it's a head injury. Playing with a broken hand can hurt like a mofo, but you're not at risk of your life ending prematurely because of it.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

You don't play if your not cleared by a doctor, simple as that.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

You're off base.

Imagine if someone told you to "chance it" because this is the SCF's even though you coming off a head injury.

To top it off, this has nothing to do with being European. It's the doctors call, not Mule's. Franzen would've played Game 2 of the Dallas series had he not been forced out by the team's physicians.

[Wingman 0]

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

I'd love to hear an elaboration about this comment.

[wingsownnhl43 14]

You don't play if your not cleared by a doctor, simple as that.

Not true, I've heard many stories of athletes refusing to listen to their doctors. However, i do understand Seeinred's response. I can totally understand that.

[mooose kiiisses 0]

Simply put, because it's a head injury. Playing with a broken hand can hurt like a mofo, but you're not at risk of your life ending prematurely because of it.

I second this.

[servo 15]

It seems like everyone has been really understanding about him not playing, and rightfully so, he was arguably our best player down the stretch. But, literally no one on this board has taken the antagonistic opinion.

I, however, am somewhat upset that he is out for game 1 against Pittsburgh. I understood that we didnt want to take any risks with him against Dallas, as we clearly outmatched them and that doctors wouldnt even let him practice, but my god, this is the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought hockey was the sport where players gutted it out and played without the OK from the doctors? He says he feels fine, he is practicing, why can't you play in game one of a CHAMPIONSHIP round? Isn't this why you play the game? What every hockey player dreams of?

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

You are ignorant because you don't understand the effects of a traumatic brain injury. You can't play if the doctor doesn't think that it is in the best interest of the athelete. His life is worth much more than a trophy. If he plays too early and ends up with chronic daily disabling headaches, concentration deficits, impulsivity and memory disturbances he won't be much good to anyone. This isn't an ankle sprain.

[HockeyRules 0]

It seems like everyone has been really understanding about him not playing, and rightfully so, he was arguably our best player down the stretch. But, literally no one on this board has taken the antagonistic opinion.

I, however, am somewhat upset that he is out for game 1 against Pittsburgh. I understood that we didnt want to take any risks with him against Dallas, as we clearly outmatched them and that doctors wouldnt even let him practice, but my god, this is the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought hockey was the sport where players gutted it out and played without the OK from the doctors? He says he feels fine, he is practicing, why can't you play in game one of a CHAMPIONSHIP round? Isn't this why you play the game? What every hockey player dreams of?

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

Concussion - As defined by Webster

1 a: a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow; especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function b: a hard blow or collision

This might be the Stanley Cup Finals, but this is his life and career as well. I don't think gutting it out with a body injury is the same as a concussion. Any other injury and The Mule would be playing. We don't need to see another player affected like Konstantinov. I'd rather him sit out the Finals than risk his ability to function as a normal person.

Just my 2

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

It's posts like that which irritate the heck outta me. I don't care if it's the Stanley Cup Finals, The Olympics, etc.. your health is much more important than any game. It's a freaking HEAD injury. There's a reason he hasn't been cleared to practice till now, and there is also a reason why he's still going to get some further testing done so he can be cleared to play. You don't mess with head injuries, you don't even try to. It's that dangerous. Yes he is a very important part of the team, but his health is far more important.

[JKEITH81 0]

You don't mess with the head or the heart. Our old trainer used to say that. Do you remember how horrible it was to watch what happend to Fish? Why would anyone even chance anything similar?

[fastballspecial 0]

yeah, it's a head injury. can't do much about those but chill and wait it out. I'm not saying you're ignorant though, like the LGW judge and jury, but I guess you're just mistaken.

Edited May 23, 2008 by fastballspecial

[Z and D for the C 712]

Didn't he turn out to not have an injury at all? Or did he for sure have a concussion. I was under the impression that nothing was actually wrong with him as the MRIs were okay.

[Ladsud2002 0]

Didn't he turn out to not have an injury at all? Or did he for sure have a concussion. I was under the impression that nothing was actually wrong with him as the MRIs were okay.

The MRI's were negative as far as any brain damage, clots, etc. Thats not to say he didnt have a concussion. Its not his choice to play or the coachs. If the doctors dont clear him to paly he doesnt play. Im pretty sure theres some legal junk that says that.

[ZatasGirl40 0]

I really can't believe I just read that.

[LidstromIsASuperhero 29]

I understand what you're trying to say but I will have to disagree. I think a good example would be the career of Keith Primeau. In his final season, if I recall correctly, he played throughout the playoffs with a concussion while leading his team in scoring and taking them to the conference finals. That was, however, his last season as he was forced to retire due to post concussion syndrome. I would rather have Franzen be healthy and retire a Wing then play the like, final four games of his career right now.

[WingsZR2 1]

It seems like everyone has been really understanding about him not playing, and rightfully so, he was arguably our best player down the stretch. But, literally no one on this board has taken the antagonistic opinion.

I, however, am somewhat upset that he is out for game 1 against Pittsburgh. I understood that we didnt want to take any risks with him against Dallas, as we clearly outmatched them and that doctors wouldnt even let him practice, but my god, this is the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought hockey was the sport where players gutted it out and played without the OK from the doctors? He says he feels fine, he is practicing, why can't you play in game one of a CHAMPIONSHIP round? Isn't this why you play the game? What every hockey player dreams of?

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

I suffered a concussion my junior year of high school in a football game. I didn’t tell the coaches and played the rest of the game. After not sleeping for 80+ hours and puking every time I saw the light of day I went to the doctor. Doc said had I not sought medical treatment I could have put myself in a position to reinjure myself and ultimately suffer from brain damage. To this day (11 years later) I suffer from extreme migraines, all thanks to stubbornness.

Concussions are a mofo and I for one am GLAD he is not playing until he has been cleared by doctors.

Edited May 23, 2008 by WingsZR2

[maltbymaniac 13]

It seems like everyone has been really understanding about him not playing, and rightfully so, he was arguably our best player down the stretch. But, literally no one on this board has taken the antagonistic opinion.

I, however, am somewhat upset that he is out for game 1 against Pittsburgh. I understood that we didnt want to take any risks with him against Dallas, as we clearly outmatched them and that doctors wouldnt even let him practice, but my god, this is the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought hockey was the sport where players gutted it out and played without the OK from the doctors? He says he feels fine, he is practicing, why can't you play in game one of a CHAMPIONSHIP round? Isn't this why you play the game? What every hockey player dreams of?

Don't get me wrong, I love Franzen, I think he is an awesome player, but i kind of want him to be that player that refuses to be taken off the ice. Who knows, maybe it's just the European mind set.

Does anyone else echo my thoughts, or am i totally off base?

im with you, as they have been saying its just headaches.what the heack you cant play with a headache.tests have shown nothing.bottom line take some bayer and go get that trophy.

i dont see why everyone is bashing on you now. ITS A HEADACHE!

go wings

[Reds4Life 51]

You are totally off base.

If docs let him play and something happend..they would be responsible.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

im with you, as they have been saying its just headaches.what the heack you cant play with a headache.tests have shown nothing.bottom line take some bayer and go get that trophy.

i dont see why everyone is bashing on you now. ITS A HEADACHE!

go wings

Yeah. Because you're the doctor. If it was just a simple 'headache' then they would of given him some pills and that would of been it. Obviously it was much more than a headache as they had to run several tests on him and just a day ago cleared him to practice. They know much more than we do. Saying it's just a headache and that he should play is just downright ignorant. Don't you think he wants to play? It's bothering him much more than any of us, but he has to play it on the safe side and not play till the Docs are 100% sure he can. Any kind of headache is dangerous, especially when you don't know what's causing it.

[ben_usmc 253]

Sorry but I thought it was a game time decision is it certain he's not playing? Also unless you know exactly what is wrong with him you really have no idea what his situation was.

[seeinred 1,488]

You are totally off base.

If docs let him play and something happend..they would be responsible.

This

Yeah. Because you're the doctor. If it was just a simple 'headache' then they would of given him some pills and that would of been it. Obviously it was much more than a headache as they had to run several tests on him and just a day ago cleared him to practice. They know much more than we do. Saying it's just a headache and that he should play is just downright ignorant. Don't you think he wants to play? It's bothering him much more than any of us, but he has to play it on the safe side and not play till the Docs are 100% sure he can. Any kind of headache is dangerous, especially when you don't know what's causing it.

And this.

It sounds like the OP has real life confused with the movies, as if Franzen could just say, "Screw you, medical professional who knows and understands the risks associated with my condition, I'm going to play!" And then Babcock and the rest of the organization would somehow be OK with it. This is mostly because you don't mess around with head injuries, but it's also slightly a CYA move on the part of the NHL and Red Wings organization.

[DRW Dominance 255]

I'm curious of the age of the two posters who think he should play. Cause I like Zatagirl can't really believe what I'm reading from those two.

[high_stick69 7]

Now if your wife makes the excuse that shes "got a headache" you can feel as important as the Stanley Cup!! woo hoo!! Unfortunately my wife is the Montreal Canadians of headaches....

[Yzerman191 37]

I'm currently majoring in neuroscience, so I may have a slightly better appreciation of the effects of trauma in that area, but I am really surprised at the ignorance of people basically telling Franzen to "man up, it's the finals!" An injury to the head always has to be approached with the utmost sensitivity. This isn't a broken finger or toe (not to say those injuries aren't severe as well), this is a head injury! C'mon people, it's a game. An important game, but still, a game. I'm glad the decision is left up to the doctors instead of the fans.

With that said, I don't think the Red Wings have exactly been fully truthful about the whole situation. It seems like they haven't quite pinned down the problem, as Franzen just said today he'd miss game one and he'd be doing some more tests.