Is Franzen the real deal?

[Jedi 1,865]

Well, Babs certainly will have his hands full trying to find the right fit for an apparent-budding-powerhouse in Franzen, and an elite winger to join his already elite centers. He's got a whole lot of talent to juggle, so if he has a problem finding the right match, it's at least what I call a "High-Quality" problem...

It's certainly better than the alternative...

I think we'll see Franzen's torrid pace slow down some in the regular season. He benefitted from top line minutes due to injuries, and from having two of the best players in the world on the same line for a time. I think one of the brightest things about that experience is that he learned from the experience. He didn't just ride the wave until it dried up, he built on it and gained the confidence to play the kind of game that got him the big numbers. He now knows that he has the skills to take the puck hard to the net for scoring chances, or parking that big frame of his in front of the goal to get deflections and rebounds. Those are skills that are valuable in the regular season, and absolutely priceless in the post-season.

Since he should see most of his time on the second line, I can easily see big things for the 'Stein.

[Dabura 12,232]

I don't know why anyone would be opposed to keeping the most dominant line in hockey together and backing it up with a monstrous line that would be the top scoring unit on most other teams. Sure, Babs can split Z and D. But why would he want to? To get a more balanced attack?

[Holmstrom96Screens 0]

Franzen has proven he can score and do it well. He's going to get much more ice time and will be looked to for his scoring touch.

Franzen is just another one of those diamonds in the rough.

agreed. I'll take Franzen over Hossa.

Besides, Franzen is another one of those players who can not only score but do other jobs as well. Hes like imo the teams second best screener (cause no ones as good as homer at that)

But yea. Franzen over Hossa. mule did greeat last year. he was good.

[Namingway 146]

I think it's still too early to determine who we should keep at this moment, until we actually get to see Hossa playing as a winged wheel. We still don't know how well he will do on the team. I really do think that Franzen will keep playing the way he has been. I always saw some kind of hidden potential in him that was just waiting to explode. I say we should do our best to keep Hossa AND Mule... of course Zata as well

[Majsheppard 203]

Yes.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Franzen is also win win. Physical presence plus scoring ability. And if he loses his touch, he will go back to being the old Franzen, which is incredibly valuable.

[ltgator333 3]

Well there's a difference between being on a lucky streak where things are just going your way and making things happen, and I don't know about you all here but Franzen seemed to be making a good percentage of things happen for him rather than just being in the right place at the right time more often than not.

I think he'll keep it up to a certain extent, probably to the tune of about 30 goals next season.

[WingsZR2 1]

For two and a half years his main responsibility was to be a defensive forward. He didn't start scoring until the opportunity came up where both Homer and Cleary were out, and he was the one that was left to play the gritty forward on the top line. And he produced. And from that he gained confidence. And he continued to produce. Then Cleary and Homer came back. But he was still producing. In fact, if anything, his numbers got even better once Cleary and Homer came back, because he was back on the second line, and all the focus was on Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Homer. All of a sudden the Wings top line comes off; you get your top D off the ice to rest up for the next time they're out there. But wait! Franzen's on the ice! No time to relax now, cuz he's about to score!

QFT

I think he now knows that he can do this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMMn6FSGiQ and so much more.

[Dabura 12,232]

until we actually get to see Hossa playing as a winged wheel. We still don't know how well he will do on the team.

Hossa will do really well.