Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I realize the comparison is obvious given the 5 goal game. And I also realize that Fedorov had a much deeper skill set but Franzen is reminding me of Fedorov in a LOT of other ways... 1) Stud in the playoffs 2) Sometimes I feel like he just doesn't give a s*** 3) I feel like Franzen could just turn it on at any second and take over a game if he wanted to 4) Makes impossible things look easy and almost looks bored doing it sometimes (not in a Fedorov 'freak of nature' way, but that skate to stick goal was ridiculous) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 No way. Franzen couldn't hold Fedorov's jockstrap in the playoffs. Unlinke Franzen, Fedorov was actually a great two-way player. 3 nate94gt, LeftWinger and ogreslayer reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 No way. Franzen couldn't hold Fedorov's jockstrap in the playoffs. Unlinke Franzen, Fedorov was actually a great two-way player. Not in the way he plays... in the way I feel watching him play... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Not in the way he plays... in the way I feel watching him play... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (see, I can spam threads with useless responses too) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achildr1 255 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I realize the comparison is obvious given the 5 goal game. And I also realize that Fedorov had a much deeper skill set but Franzen is reminding me of Fedorov in a LOT of other ways... 1) Stud in the playoffs 2) Sometimes I feel like he just doesn't give a s*** 3) I feel like Franzen could just turn it on at any second and take over a game if he wanted to 4) Makes impossible things look easy and almost looks bored doing it sometimes (not in a Fedorov 'freak of nature' way, but that skate to stick goal was ridiculous) I was at that game. It was my second Wings game ever, my Mom's first game. December of '96 against the Capitals, I believe. It's one of my more vivid memories in my childhood. Konstantinov skates into the Caps zone in OT and drop passes it to Federov who rockets it home! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I was at that game. It was my second Wings game ever, my Mom's first game. December of '96 against the Capitals, I believe. It's one of my more vivid memories in my childhood. Konstantinov skates into the Caps zone in OT and drop passes it to Federov who rockets it home! I remember watching it on TV. Amazing game. Obviously Franzen can't hold a candle to Fedorov in terms of overall skill, but Franzen annoys me like Feds used to. He's one of those players that makes me wonder what would happen if he gave 100% all the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I remember Fedorov's 5-goaler being blacked out. I can understand the point your alluding to with your post, but as others have said - Fedorov was so much better in his own zone. Franzen is great, and has the ability to in any given game; but Fedorov was elite when he was a Red Wing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I remember Fedorov's 5-goaler being blacked out. I can understand the point your alluding to with your post, but as others have said - Fedorov was so much better in his own zone. Franzen is great, and has the ability to in any given game; but Fedorov was elite when he was a Red Wing. Ya. I know it's kinda hard to have an objective comparison between Feds and anybody here at LGW, but my first though last night was how weird it was that Franzen has been annoying me this season with what I perceive to be a lack of effort on some nights, only to explode for 5 goals. Very Fedorov'esque to me. 1 Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Ya. I know it's kinda hard to have an objective comparison between Feds and anybody here at LGW, but my first though last night was how weird it was that Franzen has been annoying me this season with what I perceive to be a lack of effort on some nights, only to explode for 5 goals. Very Fedorov'esque to me. Yeah, I can totally get behind that. Especially because Franzen scores in a seemingly effortless manner, you can't help but think that he's just Fedoroving (not trying). I'm hardly an enormous Fedorov supporter - his departure always left a bad taste in my mouth - but it's a hard comparison to make beyond the effort thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Yeah, I can totally get behind that. Especially because Franzen scores in a seemingly effortless manner, you can't help but think that he's just Fedoroving (not trying). I'm hardly an enormous Fedorov supporter - his departure always left a bad taste in my mouth - but it's a hard comparison to make beyond the effort thing. Totally agreed. And I'm a Feds supporter. I always just chalked him up as quirky. A by-product of his skill. I would have welcomed him back any time. But you hit the nail on the head... it's the way Franzen seems to score so effortlessly that makes you wonder if he is Fedoroving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,949 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Totally agreed. And I'm a Feds supporter. I always just chalked him up as quirky. A by-product of his skill. I would have welcomed him back any time. But you hit the nail on the head... it's the way Franzen seems to score so effortlessly that makes you wonder if he is Fedoroving. I hear you on the sometimes seems lazy comparison. But even that being said, I know Sergei Fedorov, Sergei Fedorov is a friend of mine, Johan Franzen is no Sergei Fedorov... ...anyhow seriously, Fedorov made all those plays and dominated the ice in a totally different NHL, clutch and grab, impede, interfere, etc... Could you imagine Fedorov from 1994 playing in today's freestyle game? Sheesh! I do agree with the lack of effort every night comparison, BUT, when Fedorov was on, he was better than ANYONE in the league, including Greztky and Messier AND Yzerman. You cannot say the same about Franzen, even when Franzen is on, he pales in comparison to the other consistent elite players in the league. Plus, he could NEVER play as good as Feds if Franzen played in 1996, even if they were both ON that night. ...don't even get me started on the fragility of Franzen compared to Sergei.... Edited February 3, 2011 by LeftWinger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I totally get what you're saying. It's annoying to see Franzen look lazy as hell some games when you know that he has the ability to be so damn dominant. There's probably just something psychological that Franzen shares with Fedorov, that they have a hard time giving 100% (or 110%) if it's not a very important game, such as in the playoffs. But even though I didn't see a lot of games back when Feds was a Wing, I'd definitely say that he was much more useful even on his "lazy nights" as opposed to Franzen who many times this season has been simply..nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I also get the comparison, although Johan is not the inate talent that Feds was. Fedorov was easily the most gifted under-achiever ever to grace the NHL. I remember thinking that when he was on his game (or chose to play to his potential, if that is what was happening), there was no one better than Fedorov. He was simply beautiful to watch, at least when you were not wanting to kill him for not showing up. Mule isn't pretty, but he's damned effective when it really, really counts. Now, if he could just show that same fire on a regular basis, I guess we'd all just have to shut up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 No way. Franzen couldn't hold Fedorov's jockstrap in the playoffs. Unlinke Franzen, Fedorov was actually a great two-way player. Franzen was a defensive third line forward before early 2008. 1 wings1110 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) I also get the comparison, although Johan is not the inate talent that Feds was. Fedorov was easily the most gifted under-achiever ever to grace the NHL. I remember thinking that when he was on his game (or chose to play to his potential, if that is what was happening), there was no one better than Fedorov. He was simply beautiful to watch, at least when you were not wanting to kill him for not showing up. Mule isn't pretty, but he's damned effective when it really, really counts. Now, if he could just show that same fire on a regular basis, I guess we'd all just have to shut up. QFT... crazy to say that about someone with so many accolades, but it's true. If only he would have played with the tenacity of Helm every night... oooh baby. Someone mentioned that Fedorov also did a lot of things during a regular game that went unnoticed, and I agree with that. But there were definitely more than a few games where he was definitely coasting. But Fedorov coasting was still a top 3 forward. Lol. Edited February 3, 2011 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,949 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 it's crazy, once they get their "payday" they get lazy... Fedorov did most of his damage at $285,000 per season. Franzen got his rep BEFORE he got his lifetime contract... hmmmm.... 1 wings1110 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 it's crazy, once they get their "payday" they get lazy... Fedorov did most of his damage at $285,000 per season. Franzen got his rep BEFORE he got his lifetime contract... hmmmm.... Franzen is on pace for 42 goals this season. Last playoffs he scored 18 points in 12 games. Franzen is not at the same level as Fedorov, but it's not like Franzen is some lazy hack who only performs once in a blue moon. 1 8 Legged RedWing reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wombat 26 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I think Franzen is great, but he's no Fedorov. Also, I think the whole "both don't give all their effort all the time" argument is bogus. They both have the ability to pot a goal every game, but that just isn't going to happen. Even Gretzky in the high-scoring 1980's only did it twice (which is amazing in my mind that he could even do it once!). I think lack of game-by-game production looks like laziness, but really it's not. Just like any of us with our jobs, some days you are rocking and can do no wrong, and others you just can't get out of your own way. It doesn't means you're working less hard... it's just the ebb and flow of life. 3 wings1110, Dave and Frozen-Man reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) I think Franzen is great, but he's no Fedorov. Also, I think the whole "both don't give all their effort all the time" argument is bogus. They both have the ability to pot a goal every game, but that just isn't going to happen. Even Gretzky in the high-scoring 1980's only did it twice (which is amazing in my mind that he could even do it once!). I think lack of game-by-game production looks like laziness, but really it's not. Just like any of us with our jobs, some days you are rocking and can do no wrong, and others you just can't get out of your own way. It doesn't means you're working less hard... it's just the ebb and flow of life. Which is why I titled the thread SHADES of Fedorov. I think it's pretty much common knowledge that Fedorov was one of the most talented to ever lace them up. 5 goals is a pretty dominant performance, no matter what era. It's no coincidence that the last Wing to do it was Fedorov. It takes a natural goal scorer to to do that. It just so happens that Fedorov was a natural goal scorer (or could be if he wanted to) on top of everything else. I don't agree on the coasting part. I went to a lot of games in the 90's and it was pretty obvious when Fedorov was on auto-pilot. Franzen, I can't say with any certainty. I haven't seen as many games since Stevie retired, so I don't know if my perception of Franzen coasting is legit. You've heard Babcock use the term "engage". Sometimes it took Fedorov a while or an incident in order to engage. Sometimes he didn't engage at all. But he was good enough that he still wasn't a liability. Edited February 3, 2011 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Franzen was a defensive third line forward before early 2008. But he was never a top-end defensive forward. And since he became the team's top sniper, he's let his defense sort of, well, not be there. Fedorov was the closest thing the NHL has seen to a truly complete, perfect player in its history. People say he didn't give effort and didn't have a heart. He gave tons of effort. Perhaps not to a Draper or Yzerman level, but it was definitely there. Had it been at that level, he'd still be the best player in the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingzman91 134 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 I was at that game. It was my second Wings game ever, my Mom's first game. December of '96 against the Capitals, I believe. It's one of my more vivid memories in my childhood. Konstantinov skates into the Caps zone in OT and drop passes it to Federov who rockets it home! This was my first hockey game ever. 5 goals including ot winner by my favorite player. Lifetime fan that day. Went home to FL, threw away my baseball crap, and bought a stick. All has been right with the world since. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings1110 184 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 The same thing happens to me. its not for a lack of effort, just some days arnt your day you just dont got it, and other days you completely tear s*** up. its not that you being lazy or not trying, just some days you have "it", and some days you don't. Franzen just isn't a consistant player, i doubt hes doing that consciously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 That's like comparing apples to oranges. They're two totally different mindsets and attitudes. I have a lot more respect for Johan than I ever did Fedorov. And you'll never see Johan getting speeding tickets in a Ferrari. He's just not that type. No conceit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) That's like comparing apples to oranges. They're two totally different mindsets and attitudes. I have a lot more respect for Johan than I ever did Fedorov. And you'll never see Johan getting speeding tickets in a Ferrari. He's just not that type. No conceit. Apples are roundish Oranges are roundish Apples grow on trees Oranges grow on trees You can make apple juice You can make orange juice Apple is a fruit Orange is a fruit Apples contain natural sugars Oranges contain natural sugars Apples have a skin Oranges have a skin Apples are non-lethal when thrown at the head Oranges are non-lethal when thrown at the head You can juggle apples You can juggle oranges Edited February 3, 2011 by Broken 16 3 Zeowingsfan, zoso and F.Michael reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
