Mule Unleashed: Franzen a GO for Game 2

[chrisdetroit 189]

From TSN:

Franzen said after going all out in practice Sunday that he believes he'll be fit to return for Game 2 on Monday night, but he light-heartedly suggested coach Mike Babcock might not be able to find room for him.

He'll consult with team medical experts after the morning skate Monday. He could be cleared to play if he doesn't have a headache, and he says he hasn't had one in more than a week.

"It's going to take maybe one more practice to get the legs going like they were before," he said. "If I get into Game 2, I'll start getting the timing back."

Link

[selkie 10]

Crossing my fingers for a clean medical report. It's had to have been hard for the Mule to watch from the press box or on tv.

[cirov19 1]

The Detroit Red Wings doctors will have the final say, but Johan Franzen declared himself ready to play in tonight's Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit.

Franzen went through his first full-contact practice Sunday and reported no ill effects.

"They'll be looking for whether I have worse symptoms after today," said Franzen, who has 12 playoff goals, but hasn't played since Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.

"(Today) I'll be working on getting my heart rate up, working hard and really digging in and see if something happened. "I'm thinking I'm pretty much good to go."

Franzen said his headaches stopped seven to 10 days ago and he's had no re-occurrences.

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/spo...073&k=65807

Please be ready tomorrow, Johan.

[Hiei 192]

HEY! THAT HOME-REMEDY I MAILED IN WORKED!!!!!!!!

GO GET EM JOHAN!!!

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

this just means we will have 2 players getting goalie interference calls now. hahahahahahaha

man please come back mule...now zata is going to pass you on goals if you don;t..don;t let that punk do that to you..hahaha

[Firehawk 305]

So the question is, do we mess with the lineup to get him back in?

I will say, for Franzen, yes. I think you need to get him back in there. It makes the opponent hvae to worry about another big scorer. It should add a jolt to the team as well to get him back. He's been too big a piece of the puzzle this year to let him sit out.

Chelios on the other hand, I think with the speed of this series, it may be in the interest of the Wings for Chelios to sit out. I hate saying that as I love to see him in there playing. he's an inspiration.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

SJKSJKGS

Hopefully Babs plays him.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

So the question is, do we mess with the lineup to get him back in?

I will say, for Franzen, yes. I think you need to get him back in there. It makes the opponent hvae to worry about another big scorer. It should add a jolt to the team as well to get him back. He's been too big a piece of the puzzle this year to let him sit out.

Chelios on the other hand, I think with the speed of this series, it may be in the interest of the Wings for Chelios to sit out. I hate saying that as I love to see him in there playing. he's an inspiration.

Absolutely. Franzen in, McCarty out, no question.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

where does franzen play? i don't think u can put him on the 2nd line right away. maybe the 4th line for the next game.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

where does franzen play? i don't think u can put him on the 2nd line right away. maybe the 4th line for the next game.

I would guess if Franzen is cleared to play, Babcock will use him in his typical role. Putting Mule back on the second line will be a nice addition to counter the Malkin line. Again, I don't know since I'm not on the medical staff, but if Franzen can play, you would assume the coaching staff would utilize him in normal fashion.

As far as the lines go...

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Cleary

Drake-Draper-Samuelsson (very solid line in game one)

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

Edited May 26, 2008 by GoWings1905

[zata40 3]

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filpulla-Franzen-Cleary

Drake-Draper-Samuelsson (very solid line in game one)

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

I like it

[Saran 1]

pleeeeeeease play tomorrow, havent seen him play for way too long

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I would guess if Franzen is cleared to play, Babcock will use him in his typical role. Putting Mule back on the second line will be a nice addition to counter the Malkin line. Again, I don't know since I'm not on the medical staff, but if Franzen can play, you would assume the coaching staff would utilize him in normal fashion.

As far as the lines go...

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Cleary

Drake-Draper-Samuelsson (very solid line in game one)

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

that's what the line up would look like if he were to put him straihgt back on the 2nd line. but he might ease him back.

[RainingBlood 8]

if the redwings win the cup at least Mac will get his name on it

[Reilly 24]

So the question is, do we mess with the lineup to get him back in?

Uh...do you think Sammy and Clearly are going to score 3 goals between them every game, including tomorrow?

[Matt 1,049]

So the question is, do we mess with the lineup to get him back in?

When your lineup has Darren McCarty on it -- yes. A million times YES.

where does franzen play? i don't think u can put him on the 2nd line right away. maybe the 4th line for the next game.

Will not happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see Franzen back at the No. 2 center spot flanked by Filppula and Samuelsson. If Franzen can go I expect him to do a lot of shadowing on Malkin with Filppula dogging him up the ice occasionally as well. Sameulsson would move back up and get the lines back to what they were against Colorado -- though I could just as easily see Cleary taking up that spot on the wing, too.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Samuelsson

Drake-Draper-Cleary

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

[Anomalously 0]

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Samuelsson

Drake-Draper-Cleary

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

I love the balance of the forward lineup against Colorado (minus McCarty, add Maltby) fast-forwarded to the Finals. It gives us three absolute shutdown lines to match anything their big 3 centers throw. As long as Malts/Helm/Huds don't get caught out there like they did in Dallas, we ought to have another solid defensive effort. As long as the 4th lines are playing against one another, Helm's speed and Hudler's shot means we can threaten their 1-2-3 with our 1-2-3 and their 4th with our 4th.

Replacing Hudler with Franzen on our shutdown three shutdown lines... you can't go wrong with that. And I love Cleary (with added confidence) anywhere on the 2nd or 3rd lines.

[rick zombo 3,739]

When your lineup has Darren McCarty on it -- yes. A million times YES.

Will not happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see Franzen back at the No. 2 center spot flanked by Filppula and Samuelsson. If Franzen can go I expect him to do a lot of shadowing on Malkin with Filppula dogging him up the ice occasionally as well. Sameulsson would move back up and get the lines back to what they were against Colorado -- though I could just as easily see Cleary taking up that spot on the wing, too.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Samuelsson

Drake-Draper-Cleary

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

Yes, you touched on something here. I think Babcock's really digging the Drake-Draper-Sammy line right now. And Hudler has proven he can produce on the 4th line with Helm. If that line can work with Maltby replacing McCarty then I think Babcock does this:

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Homer

Filpulla - Mule - Cleary

Drake - Draper - Sammy

Maltby - Helm - Hudely (as Bob Cole called him on Sat.)

That way, Bab's gets

a) Franzen on the 2nd line (with a confident Cleary - found the net in game 1)

b) to keep that 3rd line together

c) a proven 4th line (provided Maltby can replace Darren's role from the Colorado series, chemistry wise)

But maybe he says, take the 2nd line from the Colorado series that played so well and factor in that Sammy's hot and you get a 2nd line of

Filpulla - Franzen - Sammy.

Who knows?

[truebladearmy 33]

Yes, you touched on something here. I think Babcock's really digging the Drake-Draper-Sammy line right now. And Hudler has proven he can produce on the 4th line with Helm. If that line can work with Maltby replacing McCarty then I think Babcock does this:

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Homer

Filpulla - Mule - Cleary

Drake - Draper - Sammy

Maltby - Helm - Hudely (as Bob Cole called him on Sat.)

That way, Bab's gets

a) Franzen on the 2nd line (with a confident Cleary - found the net in game 1)

b) to keep that 3rd line together

c) a proven 4th line (provided Maltby can replace Darren's role from the Colorado series, chemistry wise)

But maybe he says, take the 2nd line from the Colorado series that played so well and factor in that Sammy's hot and you get a 2nd line of

Filpulla - Franzen - Sammy.

Who knows?

With all his goals, and recent surge of offensive talent, I'd like to see him more physical than anything. I hope he doesn't try to be too offensive, since he's just coming back. I'd rather see him slam that huge body of his around a little bit, and take opportunities when they come.

Also, hopefully he does get a goal or two relatively quickly, to get him back into the swing of things. If Franzen gets a goal early off, it's almost safe to say the Pens are done. Sincerely.

The Pens haven't faced a Franzen yet. Nothing can stop the mule.

[truebladearmy 33]

Filpulla - Franzen - Sammy.

That's a good line.

Maybe Hudler.

I think Babcock might split Zetterberg and Datsyuk from time to time though. Draper and Helm are doing a great job along the boards against Crosby and Malkin. It might not be so critical to have them together.

If I were coach, I would try to get Zetterberg out a bit more against low profile lines, get him some room to work.

Maybe pit Zetterberg on a second line.

Obviously, it will likely be Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom on most faceoffs, and first line in the powerplay though. Almost dumb not to Our second line scores a lot, but that first line really always sets the temp, and puts the opposition on its heels.

One thing is clear to me though, and a little off topic. Draper and Helm must be on different lines. Draper is a master of defensive forwarding, and Helm is no draper, but he's well on his way. Helm is one of the most tenacious players I've seen in a long time. I watched him skating on one leg, swinging his stick at the puck, took a check, fell forward, and delivered a check while still swinging at the puck.....last game. That guy never quits.

[Ladsud2002 0]

Grats D Mac, you did your job and your name will be on the cup but its time to step aside for The Mule. To the poster above me, why on earth would you split Dats and Hank?

[DaKineMaui 8]

One thing is clear to me though, and a little off topic. Draper and Helm must be on different lines. Draper is a master of defensive forwarding, and Helm is no draper, but he's well on his way. Helm is one of the most tenacious players I've seen in a long time. I watched him skating on one leg, swinging his stick at the puck, took a check, fell forward, and delivered a check while still swinging at the puck.....last game. That guy never quits.

Excellent threadjack - Helm needs to stay here. For a LONG time.

I've never EVER been one to line combo but here goes (ducking):

Helm-Hank-Dats?

OK I quit.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Since Franzen is (probably) going back in, it's time for Chelios to come back as well, since there will be line changes and all. I know we've won the last two games, but even despite that, my heart almost stops every time I see Lilja on the ice. As bad as Chelios has been, he's still better than Lilja (plus I like him a lot more. Call it biased, if you must).

[rick zombo 3,739]

Since Franzen is (probably) going back in, it's time for Chelios to come back as well, since there will be line changes and all. I know we've won the last two games, but even despite that, my heart almost stops every time I see Lilja on the ice. As bad as Chelios has been, he's still better than Lilja (plus I like him a lot more. Call it biased, if you must).

If Chelios doesn't play in game 2, I highly doubt he will play in Pittsburgh where Therien, with last change, will have the advantage of getting Crosby or Malkin out there for several shifts against Chris.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I would guess if Franzen is cleared to play, Babcock will use him in his typical role. Putting Mule back on the second line will be a nice addition to counter the Malkin line. Again, I don't know since I'm not on the medical staff, but if Franzen can play, you would assume the coaching staff would utilize him in normal fashion.

As far as the lines go...

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Filppula-Franzen-Cleary

Drake-Draper-Samuelsson (very solid line in game one)

Maltby-Helm-Hudler

I like, and you could really go with a variety of realistic combos based on past success assuming Franzen is back for this game.

Could easily flip Samuelsson for the 2nd line there since Flipper-Franzen-Samuelsson performed fairly well when they were together, but I've been very surprised with the more-than-usual productivity of Draper's current 3rd line. I'd like to see them together again, even though I think Cleary could be more suitable for a "shutdown" role over Samuelsson.

I like the idea of moving Hudler back down with Helm. Not because Hudler has stunk up the joint by any stretch of the imagination, he gives that bottom line more of an offensive threat I think than just Maltby and Mac there, plus the two of them have worked well together this playoffs.