51 replies to this topic

[Dabura]

On top of that, the 3rd line at the time with Abdelkader, Miller, and Helm was one of, if not our best line. They were really grinding the opposition defense, providing a lot of garbage and chaos in front of the crease, and even putting the puck in the net at a decent clip (considering its essentially a Grind Line). Ironically, we demoted Franzen to the 3rd line and instead of lighting a fire under him and while providing the checking line with a useful big body, he continued to suck tremendous ass and effectively cooled down that line until Helm's injury.

Pretty sad when the most accountability he's seen is being demoted 4 games or so, and still playing so badly that Babcock just gave up on the experiment and put him back on the first line. Its been two seasons straight now in which Babcock disrupts the chemistry throughout his lineup just trying to get Johan Franzen to play like he's capable of. Line 2 has chemistry? Put him there! Line 3 has chemistry? Put him there! Line 1 is starting to come around and score consistently? Great, its fixed; put him there! *sigh*

+1

[GoWings1905]

I've said it numerous times, but the Red Wings have to make major changes to the top-six this summer. I already have this sense of dread that when the playoffs start, it will be just Datsyuk, Zetterberg and now Filppula carrying the entire load. I don't think the Red Wings can score enough goals in tight games and the other half of the top-six is a huge reason why. Franzen is obviously infuriating to watch. If he doesn't have a huge playoff, I never want to hear the playoff performer line again. If he's going to float and not care for six months, he sure as hell better turn it up and score some goals in the postseason. I find it offensive he still gets a pass anyways for being lazy because of his previous history in the playoffs.

Hudler has actually been really good, but his size doesn't translate well at all to playoff hockey. Bertuzzi is decent enough I guess, though he shouldn't be a top-six forward on a contending team. Then you look at the rest of the Red Wings roster right now and there is literally no one else that could/should play on the top two lines. Nyquist will eventually get there, but it doesn't appear Babcock is all that willing to throw him into that role permanently already.

The Red Wings need Parise badly in free agency. It has to start and end with him when discussing a way to bolster the forward unit. 16 more years of Franzen isn't going to cut it. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Filppula need more help.

Edited by GoWings1905, 06 April 2012 - 06:31 PM.

[rick zombo]

I've said it numerous times, but the Red Wings have to make major changes to the top-six this summer. I already have this sense of dread that when the playoffs start, it will be just Datsyuk, Zetterberg and now Filppula carrying the entire load. I don't think the Red Wings can score enough goals in tight games and the other half of the top-six is a huge reason why. Franzen is obviously infuriating to watch. If he doesn't have a huge playoff, I never want to hear the playoff performer line again. If he's going to float and not care for six months, he sure as hell better turn it up and score some goals in the postseason. I find it offensive he still gets a pass anyways for being lazy because of his previous history in the playoffs.

Hudler has actually been really good, but his size doesn't translate well at all to playoff hockey. Bertuzzi is decent enough I guess, though he shouldn't be a top-six forward on a contending team. Then you look at the rest of the Red Wings roster right now and there is literally no one else that could/should play on the top two lines. Nyquist will eventually get there, but it doesn't appear Babcock is all that willing to throw him into that role permanently already.

The Red Wings need Parise badly in free agency. It has to start and end with him when discussing a way to bolster the forward unit. 16 more years of Franzen isn't going to cut it. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Filppula need more help.

I think Semin flanking Datsyuk would solve some problems too. I’d have no fear bringing him and all his baggage here to Detroit. I bet Holland snags him while the Rangers, Wild, Leafs, Kings, and whoever else, fight over Parise (edit).

Semin + some size on the bottom 6. No need to gut the core, but a trade or two should happen to add some meat. I’m sick of the 4th line having no identity.

Homer retires
Eaves doesn’t get cleared to play until January 2013
Emmerton gets traded at the draft.

Semin - Datsyuk - Bertuzzi
Franzen - Zetterberg - Filpulla
Nyquist - Helm - (heathy) Cleary
Glass - Abdlekader - Prust
Miller

Edited by rick zombo, 06 April 2012 - 07:05 PM.

[Doc Holliday]

Dude Franzen is so clutch, guys. You don't even know.

[GoalieManPat]

I thought Franzen was supposed to magically turn into a force come the playoffs. Thats been the defense for him all season at-least. Unsurprisingly he was as irrelevant tonight as he has been the last 2/3 of the regular season.

[b.shanafan14]

I thought Franzen was supposed to magically turn into a force come the playoffs. Thats been the defense for him all season at-least. Unsurprisingly he was as irrelevant tonight as he has been the last 2/3 of the regular season.

Honestly, considering the pace has picked up, Franzen looked even slower and less engaged tonight than he has been. And that's saying A LOT. Floating, and save for driving to the net ONCE, he was playing soft and diving all over the place. Tired of him phoning it in.

[Doc Holliday]

Honestly, considering the pace has picked up, Franzen looked even slower and less engaged tonight than he has been. And that's saying A LOT. Floating, and save for driving to the net ONCE, he was playing soft and diving all over the place. Tired of him phoning it in.

Oh jeez.

It's cute how Franzen needed to get all his playoff goals in the first game to be okay with LGW. You guys are so silly.

Edited by Doc Holliday, 11 April 2012 - 11:06 PM.

[b.shanafan14]

Oh jeez.

It's cute how Franzen needed to get all his playoff goals in the first game to be okay with LGW. You guys are so silly.

Who said anything about goals? The guy plays like soft crap, period. Have you not watched the pasted 60 games or so?

What's silly is the notion that it is OK that he plays lazy during the regular season because he'll flip a switch come April.

[GoalieManPat]

It's cute how Franzen needed to get all his playoff goals in the first game to be okay with LGW. You guys are so silly.

Who said anything about getting a bunch of goals? I would take him just showing any type of tenacity in his play. That would be an improvement and a step in the right direction. My comment was the fact that all of his defenders said that as soon as the playoffs started he would be back to 08 Franzen. Well the playoffs started and hes the same lackadaisical player he has been most of the season. Like I said int he GDT, Helm played 3 minutes and had more of an impact on the game than Franzen did.

[AceInTheSleeve]

Mule is late for his welcome back party

[Doc Holliday]

Who said anything about getting a bunch of goals? I would take him just showing any type of tenacity in his play. That would be an improvement and a step in the right direction. My comment was the fact that all of his defenders said that as soon as the playoffs started he would be back to 08 Franzen. Well the playoffs started and hes the same lackadaisical player he has been most of the season. Like I said int he GDT, Helm played 3 minutes and had more of an impact on the game than Franzen did.

And once again people are overexaggerating. My point still stands. A lot of players didn't play up to snuff, Datsyuk especially. Franzen made some plays to the net and was able to create havoc in front at times. In fact, the power play was as good as it has ever been thanks to a better consistency throughout the units.

People are way to quick to lay on the hate as thick as they can. It is like they enjoy to see a player fail so they can rub it in the faces of strangers who root for the same team. It's strange, really.

[GoalieManPat]

And once again people are overexaggerating. My point still stands. A lot of players didn't play up to snuff, Datsyuk especially. Franzen made some plays to the net and was able to create havoc in front at times. In fact, the power play was as good as it has ever been thanks to a better consistency throughout the units

Franzen made one play to the net. Even in that he took the soft route going for a low percentage short side shot instead of taking it hard to the opposite side of the net using his size. Had the two Nashville defenders not fallen into each other he more than likely would not have even made the move to the front of the net based on the last couple months of his play. I agree Datsyuk did not have his best game but that is an abnormality for him. Lately it would be an abnormality for Franzen to have a good game. That is why he catches the hate on here this year and I believe its completely deserved.