Franzen to try & rush back for Olympics

[jollymania 162]

he should rush it...but skip the games

[Drake_Marcus 890]

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

I'm sure it is. They'd like him back as quick as possible as well. It's not like the team's doctors would let him destroy his knee just so he could get to the olympics. From the quotes he gave it sounds like he's hoping he can make it back and be ahead of schedule, not that he's going to do something high risk.

[Rivalred 630]

I'm sure it is. They'd like him back as quick as possible as well. It's not like the team's doctors would let him destroy his knee just so he could get to the olympics. From the quotes he gave it sounds like he's hoping he can make it back and be ahead of schedule, not that he's going to do something high risk.

It better be...

If he rushes to come back and plays during the Olympics, then rei-injures the knee? Then what?

Priority is to become 100% for the Wings 1st.

Edited November 27, 2009 by Rivalred

[Reilly 24]

I'm sure Illitch is pleased with this news.

This is the last year NHL players will go to the Olympics.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I'm sure Illitch is pleased with this news.

This is the last year NHL players will go to the Olympics.

It might be... Regardless of that though, a lot of players will be abandoning their NHL teams to play for their country.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Don't do it, Mule

[Jake Ryan 1]

I hate the Olympics. I only care about the Stanley Cup. I wish the olympics were left to the amateurs.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I hate the Olympics. I only care about the Stanley Cup. I wish the olympics were left to the amateurs.

I'd argue for that too, but as a player, you really have a sense of pride when you're able to represent your country. It would be very difficult to pass that up if you were heathy and able to.

[LidstromIsASuperhero 29]

How can you hate Olympic hockey? I think it's awesome to see superstar players playing alongside their countrymen. Each team has their own unique way of playing, and it's like getting to watch several all-star games. Otherwise though, I do hate the olympics, especially the summer games. It's all a bunch of boring crap.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

healthy**

[Doc Holiday 0]

I'd argue for that too, but as a player, you really have a sense of pride when you're able to represent your country. It would be very difficult to pass that up if you were heathy and able to.

If those same players were good enough they would be able to play when in college and minor league teams.

The Olympics would be even more amazing because those same players would only be able to make one olympic year in their lifetime, instead of two or three for the much better players.

[blankrap 9]

Johan Franzen (knee) would like to start skating again by Christmas.

Franzen isn't expected to play until February after undergoing knee surgery on October 16th. "I wouldn't really call it skating, though," he said. "It'll be just slow strides. No turns. It's still sore, so I have to be careful." Franzen feels like he's ahead of schedule, but he won't know for sure until he undergoes more tests or X-Rays. We'll keep you posted.

That sounds more like it. Slow strides.

[Jake Ryan 1]

How can you hate Olympic hockey? I think it's awesome to see superstar players playing alongside their countrymen. Each team has their own unique way of playing, and it's like getting to watch several all-star games. Otherwise though, I do hate the olympics, especially the summer games. It's all a bunch of boring crap.

I don't hate Olympic Hockey. I'm just not into the olympics with pros in it. It's like a prolonged NHL all star game. There's a little more passion and intensity than the all star game, but not even close to that of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I wouldn't care one squirt of piss if they changed it back so players who have played professionally couldn't qualify for the Olympics. I would actually like it more.

[Reilly 24]

I'd argue for that too, but as a player, you really have a sense of pride when you're able to represent your country. It would be very difficult to pass that up if you were heathy and able to.

Right, but you're under a legally binding contract. This is why Olympics are left to athletes not playing in professional leagues. Players like Ovechkin and Malkin that are threatening to leave to play in 2014 are full of themselves. If they wanted to play in the Olympics so bad, then they shouldn't had signed with NHL clubs.

How can you hate Olympic hockey? I think it's awesome to see superstar players playing alongside their countrymen. Each team has their own unique way of playing, and it's like getting to watch several all-star games. Otherwise though, I do hate the olympics, especially the summer games. It's all a bunch of boring crap.

That's why they have the tournaments like the World Cup that take place during the offseason.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Reilly

[Guest zackmorris]

Thank goodness Franzen's game isn't based on speed as much as it is skill and smarts. I think he'll be back before the playoffs, making him nice and rested with enough time to shake off rust. This really is a regular season kill and we seem to be focusing on that for now, but we'll treasure this rest when the postseason comes. Remember when Forsberg missed a ton of time and came back, and lead the playoffs in scoring? Without even making the finals? He's not Forsberg, but you get what I'm saying.

That said... Wings > Olympics. No matter what. He's got a gold already, and we're signing his damn paycheck.

[OsGOD 3]

someone has their priorities out of wack... his country isn't paying for his rehab ... the wings are! I sure hope the wings uppers have a bit to say about this

[RedArmy 4]

you really think the wings doctors would authorize him to play if he wasn't healthy enough? besides all Franzen said is that he is hoping and will go date by date, which means he is being realistic about it. It all depends on how he feels and what the doctors saying... I think people are reading into it too much... I think he is saying this is so that the Swedish management keeps him in mind, but if he won't be able to be healthy and play a few games in NHL prior to Olympics there is no point...