WingsAlways 486 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 "I think we could play better,” Johan Franzen said. “Maybe we need to believe in ourselves a little bit more. It’s like we’re not all there. It doesn’t look like we all believe in it. “For us to win games, everyone out there has got to want the puck and help each other. You can’t sit on the side and watch other guys do it for you. Everyone has got to pull in the same direction.” Entire story - http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dcFqC?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=detroit-red-wings Interesting read, are the players starting to wake up and realize that it's a team effort? Or are they looking to blame one another for the team's downfall? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I haven't read the article, but if that's the key quote, there's something very important that's missing: "I need to work harder and I need to want the puck more." He's right in calling out the team's effort as it's been lacking, but he is not a guy who tends to characterize maximum effort. If he wants to be a leader and make statements like that, that's great, we need more of that, but he needs to walk the walk, lead by example, and be the first to admit he needs to be better at what he's saying. 5 Hockeymom1960, sjr2012, Z and D for the C and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsAlways 486 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 It's like the pot calling the kettle black... 4 F.Michael, BadgerBob, LeftWinger and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Its kinda funny, the fan-base has been dying to replace our aging veterans with young blood for a few years now, and now between whom Holland and Babs have removed, and whom the team has lost due to injuries, its veteran leadership and stability on the ice that the team could use a fair bit of. I believe the team that is penciled in to skate has the potential to outwork the opposition, score goals, play defense, close out third periods with a positive goal differential, and win at least 50% of their games. I don't necessarily believe that they disagree with that, but I don't see that there is a whole lot of trust in each other as a team, and Franzen is included in that observation. There's a lot of individual efforts that are being easily smothered out by the opposition's defense, a lot of hesitancy to fore-check hard, and a lot of collapsing too low. That's a lack of trust. And frankly its understandable, when you see Tatar, Nyquist, Dekeyser, Sheahan, Smith, Lashoff, Pulkinen, Glendening, and Emmerton having 566 NHL games between them all. That's collectively less than seven years of NHL experience split between nine players on the roster, or about half the team. The real question is, why isn't the other half of the team stepping up more? 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings87 1,290 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I don't see a difference between this quote and any other quote we've heard from other Wings players in the last month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,755 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Good on him for saying so, but no matter how much they "want it" or don't, "play heavy" or don't, "stick to it" or don't, you're not going to beat national hockey league teams with AHL level talent. Particularly when the NHL players you do have in the lineup are largely the supporting cast. This team has serious holes in it that haven't been addressed for about four years now. Until they get addressed, they'll struggle...healthy or not...effort or not. I do want to say that I like seeing Franzen step up though. He's played well since his return and I always love seeing guys try to be a factor off the ice as well as on it. Edited March 18, 2014 by kipwinger 3 rick zombo, Jasper84 and WingsAlways reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jthiel86 43 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I think Franzen has been pretty good for most of the year. He's been hitting and shooting and playing a good game. He has an A now for a reason. I think he's stepped up well. If he played like this with Z and Pav, it would be amazing to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cnot19 191 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) I don't need to read the quote. Lets fuc$&@g go . No need to understate things here you walk out of that room you see the crowd and lights. Push it more than you have so far Edited March 18, 2014 by cnot19 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegerkin 189 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I think Franzen has been pretty good for most of the year. He's been hitting and shooting and playing a good game. He has an A now for a reason. I think he's stepped up well. If he played like this with Z and Pav, it would be amazing to see. To be fair, Franzen is wearing the A due to attrition. However, I agree that he has stepped up his game and hopefully gets on his "playoff beast-mode" a few weeks early 1 jthiel86 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Lol Franzen wow 1 The Secret reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Mule just focus on your job on the ice, do that well and let the real leaders run the show please. Whats next Alfie and Legwand speaking out? The last thing this team needs is more drama or wannabe leaders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,485 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 It's like the pot calling the kettle black... You must not have been watching franzen playing this year... 4 Internet.Unknown, Wheelchairsuperhero, MaynardJmzKeenan and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 If Mule is guilty of anything, it's trying to do too much. He's been fantastic this season but he needs to put up 50+ goals and have playoff intensity every game for this board to get off his back. Definitely looks like the team is playing without confidence. With Z and/or D in the lineup the whole team plays a different way. Something has to change because our record without those two will lead nowhere near the playoffs if it continues the same way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fat guy in a maltby jersey Report post Posted March 18, 2014 if one thing has been made clear with these injuries, it's that tatar/nyquist are not players in the mold of datsyuk/zetterberg - they aren't the guys that are going to carry your team. they're secondary players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,485 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 if one thing has been made clear with these injuries, it's that tatar/nyquist are not players in the mold of datsyuk/zetterberg - they aren't the guys that are going to carry your team. they're secondary players. Ya god forbid those rookies don't carry the team to the cup, better trade them. Not like goose has 17 goals in 40 something games... 3 MaynardJmzKeenan, FireCaptain and roboturner reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,755 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) if one thing has been made clear with these injuries, it's that tatar/nyquist are not players in the mold of datsyuk/zetterberg - they aren't the guys that are going to carry your team. they're secondary players. They're rookies! Datsyuk and Zetterberg weren't players in the mold of Datsyuk/Zetterberg when they were rookies either. Zetterberg was runner up in rookie of the year voting his first year with 22 goals and 22 assists in 79 games, Datsyuk had a less impressive 11 goals and 24 assists in 70 games his rookie year. Both Tatar AND Nyquist are on pace to beat those numbers in MANY fewer games. Furthermore, neither Datsyuk nor Zetterberg were asked to do as much in their respective rookie campaigns. They were both on teams LOADED with talent. Maybe they will turn out to be that good, and likely they won't. But to act as if their rookie years have been anything other than spectacular is absurd. Edited March 18, 2014 by kipwinger 8 FireCaptain, jthiel86, Frozen-Man and 5 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I like this. Franzen has turned it around this year. Even the last game, he may not have scored but he was finally hitting like we all wish he'd do. He's engaged in the play. He's doing his best. But there is clearly a confidence issue. Every game is the same. As soon as the other team takes a lead, you see the guys slump on the bench. They give up and that is what Franzen wants changed. I dont care about Franzen's past. He's bringing it this year and thay allows him to say this. 3 DannyD, Dave and WingsAlways reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings10 300 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Well at least someone is trying to lead the team, about time a veteran stood up and said something. 1 Internet.Unknown reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 That lazy mule calling out the team, trying to be a leader, on pace for 70 + points, did I mention he's lazy? 1 Internet.Unknown reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kook_10 1,705 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 All season? You guys must have really short memories because he started the season like dog crap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsAlways 486 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 You must not have been watching franzen playing this year... Of course I have, Mule is one of my favorite players to watch even when his performance has been sub par. Because when he brings it, he brings it. I'm just saying that he has his negative moments as much as anyone else, and he can't point his finger at anyone else without pointing at himself as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 You must not have been watching franzen playing this year... Of course I have, Mule is one of my favorite players to watch even when his performance has been sub par. Because when he brings it, he brings it. I'm just saying that he has his negative moments as much as anyone else, and he can't point his finger at anyone else without pointing at himself as well. He is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,130 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Franzen calling out the team? Even when he is one of the guys who show up for a week or so then disappear for a month....trade him in June...He has been doing well so his value is high. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Datsyukian Deke 127 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 That really made me laugh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I don't need to read the quote. Lets fuc$&@g go . No need to understate things here you walk out of that room you see the crowd and lights. Push it more than you have so far F****** right. Push it harder than you ever have before. I have no problem with us losing and missing the playoffs if every man on the team is giving his all at all times. Then it's just a matter of us simply not being talented enough and every other team being healthy and pushing, and that's not this current lineup's fault. But I really do feel like if there's maximum effort along with real heart and trust and all that good stuff, we've got a good chance. Anything less than that, though? Start booking tee times. F****** right. Push it harder than you ever have before. That's what she said. 3 Motown4013, nawein and WingsAlways reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
