Red Wings' Johan Franzen cleared to play

[wingfan40 1]

Red Wings' Johan Franzen cleared to play

By HELENE ST. JAMES

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Franzen, who hasn’t played since suffering a left knee injury in the third game of the season, has been cleared to play.

“I’m good to go when I feel ready,†Franzen said following the morning skate today at Xcel Energy Center, where the Wings play Minnesota tonight. “When I feel good, I’ll start playing -- probably within, maybe, a couple more weeks. It doesn’t hurt, so, when I feel strong enough -- my skating muscles, I haven’t used them in three and a half months.â€

Franzen, who had 34 goals for the Wings last season, has been skating for weeks now. But he didn’t go through a hard skate, during which he really pushed himself, until last week, after which he said he was sore for days.

Franzen had surgery on the knee Oct. 16. Doctors usually estimate it takes four to six months for players to recover from ACL surgery. Franzen said he’ll have to weigh whether it would benefit him to play a few games before the Olympic break begins Feb. 14. That would also open up the possibility that he’d be able to play in the Olympics if Team Sweden needs an injury replacement.

“Hopefully, I’ll play before the Olympics,†Franzen said. “We’ll see. It’s pending how I feel.â€

Also, forward Jason Williams, out since Nov. 7 with a broken fibula, estimated that he’d be ready to play Friday against Nashville, and forward Tomas Holmstrom (foot) said he’d likely be ready to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Defenseman Andreas Lijla said he’ll meet with team doctors Thursday to begin his comeback from a concussion that has sidelined him since Feb. 28. Lilja will have to be cleared to play, but he now has gone 15 days without a headache.

Contact HELENE ST. JAMES: 313-222-2295 or hstjames@freepress.com. Check out her Red Wings blog at freep.com/section/blog09.

[zata40 3]

YAY!!! Great News!

[zettie85 106]

It seems kind of overwhelming having all this great news and guys comeing back from injury!

[Guest Lidstromboli]

[wingfan1991 221]

cant wait to see him back.. game breaker we need more then ever!

[miller76 463]

It's time for a change! I vote for Mule!

[wings1110 184]

:beerbuddy:

[puckbags 863]

It's like the trade deadline getting all these guys back but it's not really the trade deadline but its like it is but its not but it is kinda........

[dragonballgtz 273]

It's like the trade deadline getting all these guys back but it's not really the trade deadline but its like it is but its not but it is kinda........

who gets dealt for cap space?

[syntax 359]

Great news, we need some scoring BAD.

[Datsyuk2Zetterberg 1]

cleary-zetterberg-franzen

do it!!

[Stiffy 0]

No doctor worth his or her salt would be wasting time here on this forum, but can Lilja really recover after so many months of symptoms? Trust me, I would kill for a big D man, but no way do I want to see a guy risk re-injury. I'm sure they will be smart with him, but you know there will be some goon going after his head.

[under_par_00 45]

We are getting Williams back next game, and Homer the game after, plus Franzen is almost ready. Kronner is just getting is game back. This is awesome! We're going to climb into 4-6 seed for the playoffs.

Edited January 28, 2010 by under_par_00

[Wings4Life19 150]

I vote he waits till after the olympic break to come back, what would be the point of him coming back early if he gets hurt on his first shift and is out the whole season. It would be nice to see #93 putting the puck in the net but 2 extra weeks wouldnt be the worst thing for him

[gcom007 1,465]

I vote he waits till after the olympic break to come back, what would be the point of him coming back early if he gets hurt on his first shift and is out the whole season. It would be nice to see #93 putting the puck in the net but 2 extra weeks wouldnt be the worst thing for him

I definitely agree. I don't see the benefit of him pushing to come back early. I'd rather him be 110%.