Will Mule Impress or Depress

[HockeyTownHouligan 57]

With the game time dwindling down to a few hours, what do you guys think franzen will do with his return. score some sweet goals. take a few games to warm up or fall into invisibility till next year. I think he's determined and will do well, whats your opinions?

[TheOwl 77]

No matter how he plays, I won't blame him for this season. But you got to imagine Llija and Franzen are hungry, having to watch all these games this season, not being able to help.

[EuroTwin 240]

This is LGW. Obviously he will do both, therefore driving everyone into mad fits of hysteria and the beginning 5732849720 new threads about him.

[titanium2 867]

Likely the same as everyone else. He'll have a good first game back (for his standards) and then have a setback in the next couple of games.

[Theophany 110]

Having been at the practice in LA on Friday, his stick work was looking good. His skating and endurance are lagging behind, but what do you expect from a guy that hasn't been able to skate much for the last 5 months?

I'd say he comes short of a lot of people's expectations because they're expecting him to come back and score a hat trick every game, but others that aren't expecting much should be surprised.

[titanium2 867]

This is LGW. Obviously he will do both, therefore driving everyone into mad fits of hysteria and the beginning 5732849720 new threads about him.

That's also how many goals the Wings will score tomorrow.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I don't expect much of him these first games back. I'd say that after the Olympic break is when he'll start to get going, especially if he plays for Team Sweden.

[egroen 384]

Players typically have very good games their first game back from injury...

I don't even mind if Franzen's skating is off, as long as he parks himself in front of the net - the Wings desperately need someone who can bury those pucks infront of the net.

Edited February 9, 2010 by egroen

[dicksmack 33]

I don't think anybody seriously expects Mule to return to scoring form right away. I hope he gets a few chances and pots a couple goals but guys coming back from an ACL repair are especially hampered by conditioning, timing challenges and getting used to the brace. The main thing is to hope he stays healthy and returns to form down the home stretch.

[13dangledangle 968]

Players typically have very good games their first game back from injury...

I don't even mind if Franzen's skating is off, as long as he parks himself in front of the net - the Wings desperately need someone who can bury those pucks infront of the net.

Couldn't agree more, Franzen just seems to be able to find the puck & the back of the net on those mad net scrambles...and that is most definitely something that's been missing!

Edited February 9, 2010 by 13dangledangle

[lookalive07 251]

This is LGW. Obviously he will do both, therefore driving everyone into mad fits of hysteria and the beginning 5732849720 new threads about him.

This is the most accurate statement ever made on LGW.

[superstarsingh 23]

I don't expect much of him these first games back. I'd say that after the Olympic break is when he'll start to get going, especially if he plays for Team Sweden.

Not gonna happen.

[robb himself 143]

Two goals for The Mule tonight! I can feel it

[stevkrause 1,247]

[CanadaBoy 151]

Franzen has continued to show up when it counts.

# Detroit Red Wings record for most game winning goals in one month, March 2008 (6).

# Detroit Red Wings record for most goals in a single playoff series (9).

# Detroit Red Wings record for consecutive playoff games with a goal (5, shared with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay).

# NHL record for most goals in a 4 game playoff series (9).

# Detroit Red Wings record for most goals in a single playoff year (13 - tied with Henrik Zetterberg).

# Detroit Red Wings record for most game winning goals in one playoff year (5)

With the Wings fighting for a playoff spot, I believe that the Mule will tear it up.

[kylee 727]

theres no telling. we'd all love to see him come back firing, Lord knows this is what the team needs like none other, but my own prediction is that he will slowly come back.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Not gonna happen.

Wouldn't be too sure with Modin and Holmstrom having some injury trouble and Forsberg contemplating not even playing because he's not happy with the level he is on.

[Pucks 66]

[VM1138 1,921]

His mobility might be a little subpar for a few games but I think he'll still get a point tonight. He just always seems to catch fire right after an injury.

[Travis 576]

Can we commit to letting this be the lone Johan Franzen thread? I have a feeling it's going to get out of hand.

As someone else said, he will both impress and depress. Everyone will be happier than s*** that he's back, but once that wears off - lofty expectations will get the best of a large number of LGWers.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

He can do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't get hurt again.

[Rick Zombos Ghost 82]

with current expectations he will depress. if he can end the year with 15-20goals il be thrilled.

Edited February 9, 2010 by Rick Zombos Ghost

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

I wouldn't be surprised if he scored a goal. Most likely by going to the net.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

He wasn't very good in the few games he played (not that anyone else was), so who knows

[cupforwings 138]

Zetterberg makes a great pass to Datsyuk, who in turn makes a saucer pass to Franzen who actually hits the net and scores a goal!