Franzen cleared to practice FULL OUT

[Datsyerberger 279]

Franzen is going to go right back where he was, but I also think Cleary will stick around on that line as well. That would make another shut down line almost as good as dats/hank/homer. Hudler will go back to the 4th line again (where he played great anyway) and the 3rd line won't be touched.

Dats/Hank/Homer

Mule/Flip/Cleary

Drake/Draper/Sammy

Hudler/Helm/Maltby

That.

That 3rd line combination has had far too good of chemistry and kicked far too much ass to F with it now. Cleary has been playing a very solid two-way game, and defense on the 2nd line (more of which Franzen will add) in addition to goal scoring ability is exactly what we need to more easily be able to shut down the Pens offense. Two solid physical players, both of which can create havoc in front of the net and score goals, as well as play a steady defensive game, centered by a playmaker with a good transitional game. Most excellent.

That leaves Hudler going back to the 4th line. Despite his solid performance, I don't have any issue with this and I don't think he will either. He seems to have good chemistry with Helm. Furthermore, with D-mac replaced, the 4th line is no longer the 'liability line'. You've got a rookie who's playing his heart out, can skate like hell and makes surprisingly few dumb mistakes, a scrappy little midget of a goal scoring forward that possibly our 4th line more scoring depth than any other 4th line in the NHL, and a seasoned veteran of a defensive forward, who is quite gritty and has a knack for drawing penalties from the other team. With Maltby/Helm/Hudler as the 4th line, I expect to see the 4th line getting more minutes (which of course lets our top guys get more rests), and I also expect it to come up big.

One curious thing to think about is that our 4th line has one of our second shift PKers, and one of our second shift PP men. How often does that happen?

[Nev 1,085]

A thirded for that combo. Huds has proved he can be effective, even with 4th line minutes. And hopefully Cleary can get something going on the 2nd line with that goal giving him confidence and the face-shield gone.

[P. Marlowe 748]

That second line sounds good. I wonder if they fit in the same line though as in the past both Cleary and Franzén have played same goalie screening roles in their lines. It will be interesting to see what happens. I just hope that Franzén will play in the game two.

[The Secret 304]

Who cares where they play him, let's just get him back and going and hope he continues where he left off! This is great news for us!

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

per cbc

I was just on the CBC website this morning, they cite a source inside the redwings organiztion saying the mule will not play game 2, is doubtful for game 3 and is most likely to play in game 4.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnicplayof.../05/bowman.html

[Lookout14 0]

I was just on the CBC website this morning, they cite a source inside the redwings organiztion saying the mule will not play game 2, is doubtful for game 3 and is most likely to play in game 4.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnicplayof.../05/bowman.html

This is so dumb...he's in....he's out....every few hrs it's a different story! I am not reading anything about this topic anymore...it's like being on a rollercoaster ride!

[TJH9635 0]

I'm so happy to hear that Franzen will be better and ready to go for the Finals.

My only question, and I know it seems dumb to ask, but will Babcock honestly put him into the lineup? He's been all about leaving the lineup the way it has been when they're winning. I mean he was going to sit Maltby when he was healthy, and when Franzen got hurt, he inserted him into the lineup. And now Chelios is ready to go, but Lilja is playing. Personally, I hope he changes his mind and sticks in Franzen, it'll make us that much more of a threat!

What does everyone else think?

[Reds4Life 51]

Good to know Mule's condition is getting better and better.