Franzen to try & rush back for Olympics

[In Wings We Trust 6]

This just appeared on ESPN.com:

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Franzen hoping to play at Games

Detroit Red Wings center Johan Franzen is hoping to get back on the ice around Christmas and has hopes of returning in time for the hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, The Detroit News reported.

The Olympic hockey tournament begins in Vancouver on Feb. 16, and Franzen says he'll need to play competitive hockey ahead of the Games if he's to have any chance at representing his country. Franzen was expected to miss four months when he tore the ACL in his left knee on Oct. 8.

"I can't play in the Olympics unless I get in about five games," he said, according to the report. "Two games won't be enough if you've been out four months."

He acknowledges that's an aggressive timetable, according to the report.

"It's a longshot if I stay at the same pace I am on now and you go by the dates," he said, the newspaper reported. "But I still have hope that I can heal faster. You never know."

According to the report, Franzen feels like he's ahead of schedule, although he doesn't have a prognosis confirming that.

"We haven't done any tests or X-rays lately," he said, according to the report. "Once we do that, then we will get a clue where we're at."

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How do you feel about this? Excited he'll be back early? Worried it's way too soon and risky and may cause him to re-injure it easily down the road? Should he really be rushing back just for the olympics when the Wings are paying him $$$ to get 100%? Just curious on your guys thoughts, thanks.

[Guest zackmorris]

Oh Franz....nooooooooooo.

If he's healthy and anyone but Dr. Nick clears him to play, fine. If he's rushing back when he should be healing, just for the Olympics, no.

Edited November 26, 2009 by zackmorris

[Carman 387]

Hmm ACL injury is not something to rush. I can understand his desire to represent his country though. Tough call, if our doctors clear him to play though I won't hold it against him. Also he doesn't sound confident in that article, he is pretty much saying the best case scenario and is holding a very optimistic view of the situation which is about the only thing he can do given his injury.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Same thing as Yzerman in 2002. The next season, Yzerman missed most of the year recovering from that knee surgery.

Look, I'd love to see Franzen in the Olympics, but team Sweden isn't the one signing his paycheck.

[seeinred 1,488]

I'm glad he's optimistic, and I hope he can be 100% by the Olympics, but obviously I don't want him playing if he's not absolutely, positively ready.

[skyphoenix 153]

Please don't rush back. We need you, but not if you just re-injure yourself.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Sorry Mule. I hope you don't make the Olympics and continue to rehab and get in game shape for the NHL.

I'd rather Mule is completely healthy and rested and poised to tear it up the second half of the season. The Wings need him.

Edited November 26, 2009 by haroldsnepsts

[action jackson 6]

he should definately skip the olympics and try to get 100% for the playoffs

[BeeRYCE 2]

If he returns by the Olympics, it will probably be very limited ice time with most of it being on Sweden's PP. I don't think he'd re-injure his knee in that regard, but it's still possible of course.

[titanium2 867]

Tough situation. It's every hockey player's dream as a kid to play for the national team growing up in Sweden.

[Miller Brew 0]

man o man,. I love the Mule's enthusiasm! He's hungry for hockey, that's a good thing.

That said, I don't want him back until the docs are sure he can't further injure it. He's our boy for 11 years and I want to see him play for 11 years.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

How do you feel about this? Excited he'll be back early? Worried it's way too soon and risky and may cause him to re-injure it easily down the road? Should he really be rushing back just for the olympics when the Wings are paying him $$$ to get 100%? Just curious on your guys thoughts, thanks.

I'm not terribly worried about him injuring himself by rushing back-- I have to assume the team trainer and doctors wouldn't let him injure himself like that. So if he does get back earlier I'll trust the team physicians were on board and management felt it was a sound choice. Franzen knows this is a business, so I don't think he'd expect Holland to let him jeopardize the team's success by re-injuring himself.

[dat's sick 1,002]

As someone who has both Team Sweden's and the Red Wings' best interest at heart I'm torn by this.

One part of me is saying go for it. Rush the rehab as much as possible so you can play the olympics and take home a gold medal. The chance doesn't come around often.

But of course if he was to re-injure himself it would be devestating to the Wings. So there's that.

I do think he's in the hands of a medical team that will make sure he stays on the right side of safe/sorry.. but I hope they don't hold him back from the olympics if he really is good to go.

[marcaractac 3,963]

If he is cleared to play in time for the games, then that's great. It would give him plenty of time playing competitive hockey again to prepare for the playoffs. That has been my biggest concern. I knew he'd be back for the post season, but would he be in game shape by then. Even if the Wings are a lower seed come playoff time, having the Mule back in form for round one would set the Wings up to be upsettin' some teams.

[Icesurfer 75]

This is silly..... he should focus on helping the Wings get in the playoffs and getting ready for playoffs without getting injured again!

[The Mule 0]

If this hinders his effectiveness in any way, shape, or form, I will be a very unhappy fan.

[hak 21]

i think some of you are reading too much into this

i have much trust in the team doctors and if they clear him to play in the nhl the injury is most likely fully healed. if it isnt, he will probably notice it in the 5 or so games he wanted to play before the olympics

[brett 1,029]

DO NOT RUSH IT

ONLY IF YOUR 110% HEALTHY

dont need to re injury

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Can I link this when you guys all start bitching at the beginning of February for him to be back?

[Jedi 1,865]

Nay, nay, oh, dear God, one thousand times nay.

Stay home, get healthy, and play in '14.

[LidstromIsASuperhero 29]

IIRC Kronwall did the same thing the year he blew his knee out early in the season and he did just fine. He even scored a big goal in the tournament. If he can be 100% than he should go for it, or at least go in on the Taxi squad like Kronwall did. How can you not be hyped up about seeing another Red Wing on team Sweden, possibly winning a medal along with Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Kronwall, and whoever else from the wings is going to be on team Sweden?

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I would REALLY prefer that he didn't rush to get back. I can understand the prospect of winning a gold medal beside Lidstrom, since it's unlikely that he'll be around for 2014... but still Mule, don't do it. I could see a a long-term issues developing if he pushes himself too hard.

[T-Ruff 47]

Nay, nay, oh, dear God, one thousand times nay.

Stay home, get healthy, and play in '14.

I'm in this boat

[Rivalred 630]

His 1st priority should be to the Red Wings... Not good

[Shaman 713]

If you watch Olympic hockey its different, more open, less hard hits, less goons, more skill, I think this would be a good rehab stint for him if hes in playing condition. Thats a big if though.