Franzen on IR

[joesuffP 1,746]

I don't think you hated to say that at all, if you did you might have at least tried to check your accuracy.

Prior to last season, Franzen hasn't had a concussion since the '08 playoffs, nor had he missed 3-4 weeks for anything other than the knee surgery.

I don't buy his last two concussions were that serious to miss an entire month. Those are very serious injuries to still have symptoms that late after two plays that nobody even noticed during the game (even searching through replays). I think if he was scoring and not having a miserable time he would have returned sooner

This isn't my blind hatred for Franzen. I'm actually one of the few posters that defends him most of the time. Like a poster said here months ago when he recalled speaking with a trainer their are some guys (on every team) that like to sit on IR as much as they can, it's a very real thing. Lots of injuries are at players discretion when they feel ready. Both years he misses time right when he's been dragging his ass for weeks and not scoring. These posts are easy to flame but I think it's a very real possibility

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Spoken like a person without a history or knowledge of head injuries

[Buppy 1,720]

I don't buy his last two concussions were that serious to miss an entire month. Those are very serious injuries to still have symptoms that late after two plays that nobody even noticed during the game (even searching through replays). I think if he was scoring and not having a miserable time he would have returned sooner

This isn't my blind hatred for Franzen. I'm actually one of the few posters that defends him most of the time. Like a poster said here months ago when he recalled speaking with a trainer their are some guys (on every team) that like to sit on IR as much as they can, it's a very real thing. Lots of injuries are at players discretion when they feel ready. Both years he misses time right when he's been dragging his ass for weeks and not scoring. These posts are easy to flame but I think it's a very real possibility

Again, not very accurate.

While he has been going through a pretty bad slump this year, not so much last year. It had only been 5 games without a goal last year, and prior to that was his best stretch of the season. Furthermore, while the hit from Gudas last year didn't really look all that serious, he did leave the game immediately afterward. He missed a while, came back for a game, then symptoms came back and he missed another month (including sitting out of the Olympics). This year no one noticed much at first because he finished the game, but he got blindsided at center ice, stayed down for a while and had to be helped off.

Concussions are weird things. Symptoms can linger. Lilja and Eaves missed almost a year. Careers have ended. Post-concussion syndrome can last for years (or even become permanent), isn't necessarily related to the severity of the initial injury, seems to be more common in people who've had multiple concussions, may be exacerbated by stress (such as from a prolonged scoring drought)/psychological disorders, and there is no established treatment.

But yeah, he must be faking it because he's a lazy bastard. (And you can tell he's a lazy bastard because he's always faking injuries.)

[joesuffP 1,746]

Perhaps I got carried away. I do believe these things do happen but a concussion is a very serious thing

[e_prime 1,936]

His -12 is unacceptable. It's tough watching that much money tied up in such a streaky player.

For the umpteenth million time: IT'S NOT THAT MUCH MONEY.

Perhaps I got carried away. I do believe these things do happen but a concussion is a very serious thing

What happens: Players faking injuries? ...or concussions?

Tell us how you really feel, and please, feel free to drag Samuelsson and his weak IR stints into the conversation too. ...or how about Weiss and all of his faking?

[joesuffP 1,746]

I think players nurse injuries more so than others. It's just their personality, like guys like Yzerman and Z play through injuries that most guys wouldn't. Same with guys on comfy contracts opposed to somebody on their last year.

[e_prime 1,936]

so... lazy mule is always lazy, but especially when he's sitting on IR nursing a fake injury.

Let me amend that: "So... you're willing to defend a lazy mule*, but not when he's sitting on IR nursing a fake injury?"

*just noticed that you claim to defend Franzen, not that I'm going to go back into other threads to check for legitimacy of such claim.

Look, I'm not trying to get all up on your case about this... and certainly there are players that are willing to play through pain and injury, and Franzen isn't that guy... but do you honestly believe that trainers, doctors, and Ken Holland would allow Franzen to just sit on IR because he wants to nurse the injury? Sure, they might let him sit there because they want to keep him on IR -- whether it be cap or chemistry issues, but I can't imagine you're going to let a guy like that, if healthy, to nurse his fake wounds. Offensive struggles or not.

Edited January 23, 2015 by e_prime

[Mckinley25 679]

so... lazy mule is always lazy, but especially when he's sitting on IR nursing a fake injury.

Let me amend that: "So... you're willing to defend a lazy mule*, but not when he's sitting on IR nursing a fake injury?"

*just noticed that you claim to defend Franzen, not that I'm going to go back into other threads to check for legitimacy of such claim.

Look, I'm not trying to get all up on your case about this... and certainly there are players that are willing to play through pain and injury, and Franzen isn't that guy... but do you honestly believe that trainers, doctors, and Ken Holland would allow Franzen to just sit on IR because he wants to nurse the injury? Sure, they might let him sit there because they want to keep him on IR, but I can't imagine you're going to let a guy like that, if healthy, to nurse his fake wounds.

Funny that Yzerman nicknamed him Mule specifically because of how not lazy he was. Seems like his issues could be something else besides work ethic. Hell, he could just be aging too fast.

[The Secret 304]

So, does anybody really miss Franzen??

I don't. The guy makes me sick... to have all that ability and no desire is such a waste of everything (Ice time, roster spot, and yes...Money too). That money, whether its considered to be alot or not, would be better suited towards a player that gives a s*** and plays.

[Chunkylover 26]

I don't. The guy makes me sick... to have all that ability and no desire is such a waste of everything (Ice time, roster spot, and yes...Money too). That money, whether its considered to be alot or not, would be better suited towards a player that gives a s*** and plays.

I think he has emotional issues. Wasn't it mentioned a few years ago that he was struggling with depression? I've had a job that required a lot of travel and I struggled with those issues too. Give the guy some slack.

Fedorov had personal issues too. I remember Bowman snatching a heckler's sign that criticized Fedorov's contract dispute during one of the '90's playoff runs. He didn't want him to lose his confidence.

Think of your own performance at work. Do you always perform at the highest level? Especially when you are down about something? No one has any evidence to suspect him of malfeasance.

[kipwinger 8,755]

I think he has emotional issues. Wasn't it mentioned a few years ago that he was struggling with depression? I've had a job that required a lot of travel and I struggled with those issues too. Give the guy some slack.

Fedorov had personal issues too. I remember Bowman snatching a heckler's sign that criticized Fedorov's contract dispute during one of the '90's playoff runs. He didn't want him to lose his confidence.

Think of your own performance at work. Do you always perform at the highest level? Especially when you are down about something? No one has any evidence to suspect him of malfeasance.

But you have evidence to suspect him of "emotional issues"?

This whole thread has turned hokey. Why don't we all stick to Franzen and hockey and not try to assassinate/dissect his character. Regardless of how we feel about him on the ice, there is absolutely NOTHING to suggest he's not a decent, committed, hard working, emotionally stable person.

[Smite 399]

I guess this tread gives a new meaning to beating a dead hose (mule)

[FlashyG 1,799]

I guess this tread gives a new meaning to beating a dead hose (mule)

[Mckinley25 679]

See now I just can't help but think that he likes it.

[Guest Playmaker]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/11/aftonbladet_red_wings_forward.html

Franzen discusses some of his anxiety issues in this article from a Swedish Newspaper in 2009. If he indeed does have anxiety/depression it sure would make a lot of sense. Last season he missed several weeks with a mystery "illness" that no one could seem to explain what exactly was ailing him. I get he may not be comfortable discussing it, but it would sure explain things. I think fans would be far more accepting and understanding if they knew the situation. Also, if he has an official diagnosis, it would have prevented the Wings from buying him out and it may prevent a trade from taking place. I think his insistence that he's not a goal scorer, he's defensive minded and what not seems to be his way of getting the attention away from himself, which seems to be what he craves. I don't know how you get a guy to do things like scoring goals when it will cause him misery (getting attention). I think it's interesting and will be curious as to how it will all play out.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

But you have evidence to suspect him of "emotional issues"?

This whole thread has turned hokey. Why don't we all stick to Franzen and hockey and not try to assassinate/dissect his character. Regardless of how we feel about him on the ice, there is absolutely NOTHING to suggest he's not a decent, committed, hard working, emotionally stable person.

3 outta 4 ain't bad.

Look at his perverse enjoyment! LOOK!

Edited January 23, 2015 by Jesusberg

[Chunkylover 26]

But you have evidence to suspect him of "emotional issues"?

This whole thread has turned hokey. Why don't we all stick to Franzen and hockey and not try to assassinate/dissect his character. Regardless of how we feel about him on the ice, there is absolutely NOTHING to suggest he's not a decent, committed, hard working, emotionally stable person.

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/11/aftonbladet_red_wings_forward.html

Relevant Quote:

"I've always been shy and the first season here, I was almost afraid to score. Then I knew I would be interviewed afterward. It was almost as if I shot at the post instead, but only almost. But it was never so, I went and chased the goal if we led the game. I don't now, either."

[kipwinger 8,755]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/11/aftonbladet_red_wings_forward.html

Relevant Quote:

"I've always been shy and the first season here, I was almost afraid to score. Then I knew I would be interviewed afterward. It was almost as if I shot at the post instead, but only almost. But it was never so, I went and chased the goal if we led the game. I don't now, either."

Equating his acknowledgement of performance anxiety with "emotional issues" not only grossly simplifies whatever it is that holds Franzen back from dominating the NHL, but it also demonstrates a REMARKABLY narrow understanding of mental health issues. Just stop.

Edited January 23, 2015 by kipwinger

[number9 3,297]

Yeah wasn't he also referring to how he felt when he was playing at 16 or something like that?

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Equating his acknowledgement of performance anxiety with "emotional issues" not only grossly simplifies whatever it is that holds Franzen back from dominating the NHL, but it also demonstrates a REMARKABLY narrow understanding of mental health issues. Just stop.

What about equating his acknowledgment of his love for having his backside caned by an English man in a top hat with emotional issues?

[roboturner 562]

Almost afraid to score because he didn't want to be interview afterward would indicate quite a bit of anxiety.

[kipwinger 8,755]

What about equating his acknowledgment of his love for having his backside caned by an English man in a top hat with emotional issues?

Who doesn't love that?

[joesuffP 1,746]

I'm just very cynical in my thinking. Of course there's no reason to think Franzen is faking injuries (not exactly what I suggest anyways) and I don't question his commitment to the team. I just think he was completely gassed at this point in the season. I do think players taking longer than they need with their injuries is a real thing though

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

But you have evidence to suspect him of "emotional issues"?

This whole thread has turned hokey. Why don't we all stick to Franzen and hockey and not try to assassinate/dissect his character. Regardless of how we feel about him on the ice, there is absolutely NOTHING to suggest he's not a decent, committed, hard working, emotionally stable person.

Holland should sign McGrattan as a shadow buddy for Franzen. He seems like a good teammate and is popular with the ladies for some reason. I feel he can help Franzen get over his anxiety issues. It will help the team in the long run.

[Guest Playmaker]

I think it's splitting hairs by whether you call it a mental health issue or an "emotional issue" But if a guy says that thoughts of trying NOT scoring a goal have crossed through his mind while playing, it's something that can't be totally ignored. I'm definitely not a Franzen basher, but at times, he has literally looked like a guy who is afraid to be out there. I don't think it's any more of a character assassination than it is to speculate about a player with a history of a physical injury who has been struggling on the ice might be having a recurrence of the injury.