Franzen having trouble processing information

[sjr2012 439]

I too know all to well about concussions I have had headaches long after and being a goalie its really hard to get back into gameshape with that lingering pain its not good and if that keeps him out the rest of the season can you really call him out and say he is lying? not cool

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[Bramsy 16]

I read this topic when it first was posted and got a little bit angry after reading some of the reactions to this news.

I've never had a concussion (that I knew of) but can relate in my own way.

At 27, I had a major stroke. Possibly sports related, possibly not?!

I have a symptom called Aphasia that SUUUUUUUUCKS! It's like a logjam in my brain and the only way to fix it is to take a step back and relax. If Franzen has something similar, I can sympathize and only dream that his ailments go away.

Don't know why I just shared this, but personally I feel a bit better that I have.

That's all, carry on

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Some of the posters around here are so clueless sometimes, Crosby missed a year and a half with a concussion, pronger was forced into retirement because of one, and many others as well. A concussion can easily cause confusion and not allow you to process information very well

The difference is that Crosby was completely nailed when he suffered that concussion. Franzen was barely touched. He even said so in the article saying it wasnt much of a hit. If something that slight of a hit can give him such nasty concussion effects the guy should be nowhere near a contact sport like hockey. Im the last to downplay a players head injury. From youth to college ball I had 5 documented concussions and 2-3 I never told anyone about since I didnt want to stop playing. I no longer play a couple recreational sports because of it. My concern is these "concussion symptoms" comes at the perfect time for Franzen. The time of the year where hes said he is bored playing and finds it hard to find motivation.

[Nev 1,085]

He sure didn't look bored the previous 15-20 games when he was absolutely on fire (and I'm a fully paid up member of the Franzen is lazy and he sucks club). He didn't look bored either when he was shouting at the ref from the bench and got the 2 minute minor, before he got taken down the tunnel.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Yeah let's ignore how great he played the 20 games before his injury.

Yeah I ragged on Franzen pretty hard for the first batch of games this year, but he was phenomenal before he went down again. He was 2008 playoffs Franzen for the 20 game stretch you're referring to, which helped us win a decent chunk during that time. No matter how hard Mule tries playing right now, you can't be as effective on the ice if something like vertigo flares up and it always sits in the back of your head. I had a concussion a few years back and when I came back to play a couple weeks later, I pushed it pretty hard and almost blacked out and was effectively hungover for the next 2 days. I had to miss the CF Regional Hockey Championship cause of the same thing Franzen is dealing with. It's not fun and I really feel for the guy.

[sleepwalker 512]

I do NOT think Franzen is faking it, but just to bring up a little point "devils advocate" style in response to the comment above...

Lets not forget that we were/are almost all (myself included) universally convinced that Sammy and his agent were lying about his boobie still being hurt so he could avoid a buyout and collect the extra million dollars on his contract.

For a player to lie/fake/exaggerate injuries is not unheard of.

Just to once again point out, I am not saying this is the case here with Franzen.

EDIT: the person I was responding to deleted their comment, if you were wondering what I was talking about, lol.

Edited January 12, 2014 by sleepwalker

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The difference is that Crosby was completely nailed when he suffered that concussion. Franzen was barely touched. He even said so in the article saying it wasnt much of a hit. If something that slight of a hit can give him such nasty concussion effects the guy should be nowhere near a contact sport like hockey. Im the last to downplay a players head injury. From youth to college ball I had 5 documented concussions and 2-3 I never told anyone about since I didnt want to stop playing. I no longer play a couple recreational sports because of it. My concern is these "concussion symptoms" comes at the perfect time for Franzen. The time of the year where hes said he is bored playing and finds it hard to find motivation.

The hit that actually took Crosby out of the lineup was from Hedman and didn't look like much of anything. The headshot by Steckal during the Winter Classic very likely played a big role, but Crosby either didn't have symptoms after it or they were mild enough he could continue playing. After what looked like a relatively harmless hit into the boards from Hedman, Crosby didn't play for almost a year.

Point being concussions are cumulative and if you've had 5 documented concussions then you know how random and mysterious the symptoms can be. I harp on Franzen all the time for taking shifts off, but I find it extremely hard to believe the guy would play up concussion symptoms to take a mini-vacation midseason. Especially headed towards the Olympics.

[Guest Playmaker]

What I think people aren't getting is that "dazed and confused" and apathetic demeanor are classic post concussion symptoms. Having had 2 concussions, all I can say is it sucks, it's frustrating and the recovery is long with plenty of one step forward, two steps back. What makes it worse is the perception that you're being lazy and the eye rolls and the looks of disbelief from people who can't believe you're still not "over it".

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Point being concussions are cumulative and if you've had 5 documented concussions then you know how random and mysterious the symptoms can be. I harp on Franzen all the time for taking shifts off, but I find it extremely hard to believe the guy would play up concussion symptoms to take a mini-vacation midseason. Especially headed towards the Olympics.

PCS and other brain diseases are from the cumulative damage. The actual concussion itself is from a single trauma which causes the brain to strike the inner walls of your skull causing bruising. 10000 tiny hits dont accumulate into a concussion. It can lead to other issue but not a concussion. You need that one heavy trauma.

[Sprsquirt7 45]

I think the cumulative aspect that might be considered is that if you have an undiagnosed concussion and get another hit while that is happening the symptoms and effects can get worse. theoretically it should be a single trauma, but with athletes you know that might not always be the case.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

PCS and other brain diseases are from the cumulative damage. The actual concussion itself is from a single trauma which causes the brain to strike the inner walls of your skull causing bruising. 10000 tiny hits dont accumulate into a concussion. It can lead to other issue but not a concussion. You need that one heavy trauma.

That's not completely accurate.

Regardless, it doesn't give any more credence to your theory that Franzen is faking symptoms to take a vacation.

[LeftWinger 4,949]

I really do not think he is faking it. This explains a lot of things if he is still having issues from the 2008 concussion. I don't like him too much, but hate to see this happen to him. I cannot imagine having issues like this affecting everyday life, but it does happen and it does seem that this could be the problem. The hit itself recently didn't look that bad, but it definitely triggered something that caused him to not want to take any chances on the ice until he knows if he is healthy or not. Unfortunately if a 2008 injury is still hanging on, it may spell the end of his career. Health is far more important than the game. I am not sure of the CBA rules, but he should probably retire if it won't cost the Wings too much. If he cannot retire, the Wings may as well use the last buyout on him and let him get healthy enough to have a functional life. If he tries to come back, one big hit and he could be scrambled eggs...

I know I have been very hard on him and wanted him off this team, but not this way, if he is forced to retire I will be very sad to see him leave the game. I am not one to wish career ending injuries on anyone...Get well enough Franzen to have a healthy life, you don't owe us anything. God Bless!

[Guest mjtm77]

I really do not think he is faking it. This explains a lot of things if he is still having issues from the 2008 concussion. I don't like him too much, but hate to see this happen to him. I cannot imagine having issues like this affecting everyday life, but it does happen and it does seem that this could be the problem. The hit itself recently didn't look that bad, but it definitely triggered something that caused him to not want to take any chances on the ice until he knows if he is healthy or not. Unfortunately if a 2008 injury is still hanging on, it may spell the end of his career. Health is far more important than the game. I am not sure of the CBA rules, but he should probably retire if it won't cost the Wings too much. If he cannot retire, the Wings may as well use the last buyout on him and let him get healthy enough to have a functional life. If he tries to come back, one big hit and he could be scrambled eggs...

I know I have been very hard on him and wanted him off this team, but not this way, if he is forced to retire I will be very sad to see him leave the game. I am not one to wish career ending injuries on anyone...Get well enough Franzen to have a healthy life, you don't owe us anything. God Bless!

Lol, he is practicing and is day to day

[RedWang 422]

Per khan:

Franzen,Datsyuk,Helm skating today.

Franzen participating in hitting/net front battles, seems to be ready.

Datsyuk,Franzen participating in line rushes, Helm is not.

Howard (hip) and Gus(groin) sharing a net, Mrazek has his own.

Alfie not skating (back spasms), nor is Zetterberg but Holland says Z will play Thursday.

Tatar in Slovakia for fathers funeral, will return Saturday vs Kings.

[Nev 1,085]

Z's point production has tailed off the last few games...I fear his back is flaring up again and he is playing through the pain whilst we're short-handed....

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 34m

Franzen said he's still experiencing dizziness and doesn't feel good. Status for Thursday uncertain.

[Louisville 112]

I knew this day would come. This is why i was so adamant about keeping Hossa and dumping Franzen back in '09.

[Shaman 713]

Yeah let's ignore how great he played the 20 games before his injury.

Lets ignore the fact that he's got a track record a mile wide of being streaky, and that he was on pace for a whooping 24 goals, and realize he's going to be 35 next season, has a track record of injury and is on the downside of the normal career curve.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

I knew this day would come. This is why i was so adamant about keeping Hossa and dumping Franzen back in '09.

Ya, hossa has never been injured. And also you're a fortune teller and you knew franzen would get a concussion in late 2013, and that the word would end December 21 2012 right

[Shaman 713]

Ya, hossa has never been injured. And also you're a fortune teller and you knew franzen would get a concussion in late 2013, and that the word would end December 21 2012 right

Hossa wasn't a player that went from a bubble energy player to a superstar in one season. He had a many productive seasons, and even when not producing was a premier two way forward. Franzen when he's not producing is invisible, and aside from a couple playoffs and 2008, he's nothing special. And as I said before, he's 35 in 2014, and most players not named Jagr age that well.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Lets ignore the fact that he's got a track record a mile wide of being streaky, and that he was on pace for a whooping 24 goals, and realize he's going to be 35 next season, has a track record of injury and is on the downside of the normal career curve.

He was on a huge coldstreak even by his streaky standards to start the season. He's still one of our more skilled and productive players.

And most players will be a year older a year from now.

[stillwater 186]

And most players will be a year older a year from now.

I saw what you did there.

Seriously, do you buyout Weiss or Franzen?

[RedWang 422]

I saw what you did there.

Seriously, do you buyout Weiss or Franzen?

Let them fight to the death. Problem solved.

[LeftWinger 4,949]

The concussion late 2013 was a love tap. The problem is, he has been and still suffers from his massive injury in 2008, then if you remember correctly, after he returned from that injury, Gary Roberts gave him an elbow shiver to the head in the finals that season further compounding his injury.

I too wish they had chosen Hossa over Franzen, but back then none of us knew that his head problem was going to linger this long. I am guilty of just thinking he sucked from 2009 on and didn't even once give it a thought that it was his 2008 concussion causing all these problems and turning into the player he is today. A lot has been explained now when I think back to him saying things like he can't focus while on the ice most nights, has trouble getting into the game on most nights and his streakiness just proves now that his problem hasn't gone away. He will turn into 2008 Franzen for 5 games, then disappear for 20.

I am not sorry I wished all these years that Holland chose Hossa over Franzen, but looking back, if I knew he was suffering this long, I sure would have thought differently of him. Now we just need to see if he can come back healthy AND productive this season, or wait until next season and see if the extended time off cures him. If it doesn't, then he needs to hang up the skates...

[stillwater 186]

Let them fight to the death. Problem solved.

Thinking outside the box. I like that.

Let me check the CBA.