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St. James: Franzen “Doubtful For Game 1”
by IwoCPO on 05/22/08 at 12:55 PM ET
Comments (31)
Updated 1355 EST: One more note from John Niyo. Dan Cleary ditched the face guard today.
Updated 1344 EST: See below. I told you bastards he was fine. Just fine.
Here’s what else is “doubtful,” that the Diggers have an ounce of nad between them, St. James included. Why?
First, what she’s saying today.
I just spoke with general manager Ken Holland and he said Johan Franzen is still doubtful for Game 1.
Franzen hasn’t played since Game 1 against Dallas because of headaches, but Holland said Franzen has been headache free now for a handful of days.
“He feels pretty good, no headaches, but he hasn’t been cleared to practice full out,” Holland said. “He’s day-to-day, doubtful for Game 1.”
Is it me, or does every HSJ blog entry begin with, “I just spoke with Ken Holland...”?
If she’s going to keep that up, she should use a standard continuation that goes something like this:
“I just spoke with Ken Holland, and he didn’t tell me squat. And get this, I didn’t follow up either. Thought about it, but he frowned, so I was, like, no way. Ansar?”
Here’s a question, Helene, that I would ask...and feel free to pass this on to your pals Khan(!) and Teddy. “Ken, has there been any indication that this could be something other than post concussion syndrome?”
You know what? Maybe I’m being too harsh on our young Mr.’s and Mrs. Olsens. Maybe they’ve asked the question and they’ve been given an answer that was vague or just blown off. If so, tell us. If you don’t, you’re making yourselves look like idiots, tools of the Wing PR machine. Oh, and MacLeod’s not exempt from this either. I haven’t seen any indication he’s been exactly hounding the organ-I-zation for details.
Why only light workouts? Because they don’t know what the hell is wrong, but nobody’s saying it.
Now, if they’re listing Franzen as doubtful, only to spring him on Pittsburgh at the last minute Saturday? I’m digging that. Lie to us Kenny. We’re into it.
But it’s all seeming pretty shady to me. Fortunately, the Diggers are hot on this one, pestering Holland, going all Woodward on his ass.
Right.
I’ll tell you what. If it turns out, and obviously we all hope it’s not, that this is something more serious than anyone’s letting on...and bloggers are the only ones publicly raising the BS flag? Something stinks. Even worse than usual.
Note to Diggers: Do. Your. Frigging. Jobs.
---------
Update: From the Anti-Digger,
Johan Franzen will practice with the Red Wings tomorrow. The forward, who has been sidelined by headaches, hasn’t played since Game 1 of the Western Conference final. Franzen did not speak with the media today.
He likely will not play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.
“He’s going to be available, I don’t know at what point,” said coach Mike Babcock. “We’re real optimistic. Doctors make those decisions. I don’t think he’s going to play in Game 1. But anytime after that (he might play).”
“He’s ready,” said Babcock. “There’s no coaching perspective in this. It’s all doctors. He’s tipping pucks in the back of the net. He’s flying around at 100 miles an hour. ... He’s ready to go. He’s just got to get the OK.”
“Likely not play”, my ass. If he practices tomorrow after, “flying around at 100 miles an hour”? He’s in there Saturday.
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Comments
Chief, I do believe you just gave birth to another line for the ages.
I just gave birth to something fierce in the only men’s bathroom we have at this office. Too much garlic the other night.
Ah yes, Saturday is nearing. I am feeling the juvelinacioiusnessacity.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/22/08 at 12:15 PM ET
I could swear I heard on the radio (WDFN?) yesterday that Franzen approved to skate—just skate, not practice. Yet no mention of that from HSJ or anyone else. As the Chief mentioned, even Bruce Almighty is letting us down on this one. His entry on today’s practice says everyone is on the ice except Filppula and Draper...yet there is no mention of Franzen’s status in any way, shape or form. I know they don’t want to give away classified information but c’mon, somebody throw us a bone! The other thing that’s scary/weird about the whole Franzen situation is that no reporter (that I’m aware of, at least) has spoken directly to him. It all comes through Holland or Babcock.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/22/08 at 12:16 PM ET
Franzen hasn’t been speaking to reporters, possibly his own choice. Lidstrom mentioned that he’s a quiet reserved person - remember how even after he scored a hat trick he wished that they would interview someone else? - and especially doesn’t want to talk when he doesn’t really ahve anythign new to say and he is extremely disappointed at not being able to play.
Could be spin, but it rings fairly true. How many times can he say “no, I don’t know when I’ll be playing again, and yes, I’m very disappointed to be out”?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/22/08 at 12:22 PM ET
Good point, Baroque, but I’m not leaving the fetal position yet (although it is rather difficult to use my keyboard this way).
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/22/08 at 12:33 PM ET
Obviously something’s a little strange about all of this, but it seems to me that even our beat writers would be all over the story if it were bigger than the team is saying.
It’s not just the front office they deal with, after all. If it’s a big deal, you’d think they’d get that vibe from his teammates and report it. I’d like to think that no Red Wing media muzzle could keep them from reporting something as major as a brain problem beyond a concussion.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 05/22/08 at 12:35 PM ET
Also, if he did skate today, why can’t somebody just say so. It could even be something like “Johan Franzen skated at today’s practice, but has not yet been cleared for full practice.” See, it’s easy! I did it. Why can’t the diggers?
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/22/08 at 12:37 PM ET
MacLeod now says Franzen skated after the main team finished. He was out there with the GR kids.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 05/22/08 at 12:38 PM ET
Also, Kulfan reported on him skating yesterday.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 05/22/08 at 12:39 PM ET
Babcock, via Khan’s latest:
“He’s going to be available. I don’t know at what point. I don’t think in Game 1, but at (some point) after that. He’s ready to go. He’s just got to get the OK (from doctors).”
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 05/22/08 at 12:40 PM ET
As the Red Wings’ World Turns, according to KHAN!
Update from Thursday’s practice: Johan Franzen (concussion-like symptoms) worked out in the training room and took a brief spin on the ice after practice for the second straight day. He’s not expected to play in Game 1 Saturday, but coach Mike Babcock anticipates he’ll be ready at some point in the series.
“He’s going to be available,’’ Babcock said. “I don’t know at what point. I don’t think in Game 1, but at (some point) after that.’’
He added: “He’s ready to go. He’s just got to get the OK (from doctors).’’
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/22/08 at 12:41 PM ET
Macleod now says he’s cleared to practice tomorrow, but probably won’t play in Game 1.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/22/08 at 12:42 PM ET
Khan (!): “So, are you guys looking forward to the game on Saturday?”
Babcock: “Actually, we’ve decided to skip the game and go shopping for cell phones. I’ve heard that Verizon has this Vcast thing. Looks pretty neat. Saw it on a commercial. You know what else I saw on t.v.? Jennifer Love Hewitt selling pimple cream. Party of Five inspired me to ice 5 players and a goalie at one time. She’s my hero.”
Headline: Wings Doubtful for Game 1
Posted by Ryan from Syracuse, NY on 05/22/08 at 12:46 PM ET
As an aside; what is painfully apparent to the 19 of the “A 2 Y”, are that the job requirements for being the Wings’ “beat reporter” (Highlander omitted) do not include the ability to formulate a thought independent of the Collective.
We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/22/08 at 12:48 PM ET
YZ is right, and isn’t that fabulous freaking news; MULE PRACTICING TOMORROW!!
From The HighLander (not a digger):
Johan Franzen will practice with the Red Wings tomorrow. The forward, who has been sidelined by headaches, hasn’t played since Game 1 of the Western Conference final. Franzen did not speak with the media today.
He likely will not play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.
“He’s going to be available, I don’t know at what point,” said coach Mike Babcock. “We’re real optimistic. Doctors make those decisions. I don’t think he’s going to play in Game 1. But anytime after that (he might play).”
“He’s ready,” said Babcock. “There’s no coaching perspective in this. It’s all doctors. He’s tipping pucks in the back of the net. He’s flying around at 100 miles an hour. ... He’s ready to go. He’s just got to get the OK.”
Funny how KHAN! failed to include the totality of BABS quote—idiot!
My money says this line on Franzen unlikely to play in game 1 is a “mind screw”. If Doc’s give him the green light, he’s playing; just read what Bab’s said: “He’s ready to go”.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/22/08 at 12:54 PM ET
Probably all this assumes no setbacks, and hence the “likely” talk - there is still a possibility he could be held out one more game.
Poor guy has got to be anxious to get back in the lineup - he was playing so well, and then to complain of headaches and be out for days.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/22/08 at 01:03 PM ET
Via Snapshots, from Freep:
“We’re paid by NBC to tell the truth,” McGuire said. “Some people like the truth, some people don’t. Like Jack Nicholson used to say, ‘You want us on that wall! You need us on that wall!’ Because we’re going to tell you the truth. We’re not going to sugarcoat it.”
The canoe proves himself again. You know what else Jack liked to do? Dress like a clown, murder people, pretend to be insane, and order a Red Alert on all douche canoes.
“It’s tough for Detroit to match up at centre,” McGuire said. “Detroit has to match that centre ice depth to be successful in the the series.”
Can this guy read? Does he even look at the stats/ games/ rosters?
There’s a lot more juicy stuff from Georgeums post
Posted by Osrt on 05/22/08 at 01:13 PM ET
Funny how KHAN! failed to include the totality of BABS quote—idiot!
Posted by Jeff - - OklahomaWingNut from Wind-Swept-Plains on 05/22 at 01:54 PM
That’s how he rolls. How else could he maintain his lofty position as Deep Digger Captain?
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/22/08 at 01:16 PM ET
Did you guys see, over on the main page, that Granato is the Dive’s new head coach??
I want to see Babbles beat his arse soo bad. Hell, I think Bab’s chin alone could do it..
Posted by Osrt on 05/22/08 at 01:27 PM ET
Did you guys see, over on the main page, that Granato is the Dive’s new head coach??
I’m wondering the same thing. I’m going to watch the press conference this afternoon. For a few laughs.
Posted by katiephd from Denver, CO on 05/22/08 at 01:34 PM ET
HSJ must have updated her blog because now she says:
I just found out Johan Franzen has been cleared to practice and will do so tomorrow, indicating he’ll play Saturday when the Red Wings host the Penguins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from SoCal on 05/22/08 at 01:35 PM ET
I lost all ... respect? confidence? interest? ... something, anyway ... in DC when he made Milbury look insightful in an intermission segment.
That was when he said Detroit’s goaltending worried him because it was unproven, there was no secondary scoring (in the midst of Franzen’s hot streak), and they had loaded up points in the Central division.
Also he picked the Rangers to win the Cup because of their elite level goaltending and defense.
(And this was in a game where the Penguins played the Rangers, no less! I wondered if he and his boyfriend had a lover’s quarrel or something.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/22/08 at 01:41 PM ET
(And the most psinful thing about that was that I hate, hate, HATE Milbury.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/22/08 at 01:45 PM ET
PCS can be both pretty bad and pretty strange. Even if you don’t have headaches it can affect you for long period of time. It’s difficult to describe. For me, it seemed like sights and sounds were slower and more blurry without actually being slow or blurry. Keith Primeau would get vertigo and vomit in certain kinds of lighting. Ed Olczyk claimed to have heard dripping sounds that weren’t really there. Bergeron had trouble with equilibrium. If memory serves, JP Dumont had a mental block where he forgot how to speak English for a few days.
If Franzen’s cleared for (and excelling in) practice, but the doctors won’t clear him for games, he’s probably still showing some weird symptom of PCS. With PCS, even a minor hit can make it much worse and start the recovery process all over again. Might not seem like it now, but you’ll be thanking the doctors later. The Flyers’ team physician does clear players with PCS (and, apparently, guys with blood clots floating around their veins) and look at all the players whose careers have been cut short because of it: Desjardins, Lindros, Primeau, Therien, maybe Gagne, etc. etc.
Posted by Steve from Pittsburgh on 05/22/08 at 01:56 PM ET
The Mule is coming back…
halle-MULE-ah!!
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/22/08 at 02:14 PM ET
a mental block where he forgot how to speak English for a few days.
explains Homer.
Thanks for scaring the crap out of me Steve.
Posted by Osrt on 05/22/08 at 02:39 PM ET
St. James says Mule to practice tomorrow AND PLAY SATURDAY NIGHT!!!! Kick ass!
Oh my God I’m so excited I don’t know what to do with myself…
Posted by TDeters on 05/22/08 at 02:55 PM ET
What’s Pavel’s hold up with the English language then?
In regards to being concussed, if you have never had one be thankful. I’ve had 2. One from a windshield in a nasty auto wreck(which I all but put the noodle through the damn thing) and another one from playing freaking boot hockey. I can attest to lenghty symptoms well after the doctors said the concussion was gone. I can attest to feelings of vertigo and keeping an even keel with the equilibrium (sounds & sight blurring means I’ve been drinking too much). Everyone seems to react differently to a concussion and the affects of them.
If the Mule’s been cleared by the doc’s, he’s good to go. If he goes through a full practice tomorrow I seriously doubt he’ll not play Saturday (unless there’s a “setback"). He doesn’t play saturday after a successful practice & no “setbacks”, you can bet your ass he’s in Monday.
We’ve been extremely cautious all year bringing guys back from any sort of injury, I think that’s part of what’s going on here.
And this time of year, all info in regards to any boo boo is kept tight to the vest & we all know that all to well. But inquiring minds want to know and the nothing new every day thing on;y makes the curiosity & anxiety levels go up every day.
So we’ll need an alternative fuel source for the Stress Train IF our Mule’s on the ice Saturday.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/22/08 at 03:03 PM ET
Thanks for scaring the crap out of me Steve.
Didn’t mean to. Besides, Pittsburgh wants to beat the Wings at full strength 
The slowness in bringing him back is actually a good thing, since it means the Wings staff isn’t about to jeopardize his career for a little more offense on the second line.
Good for them. As MOWingsfan said, if they clear Franzen now, after keeping out so long past the time he stopped having headaches, that probably means the symptoms have stopped completely and he’ll be fine as long as no one goes all Scott Stevens on him.
Posted by Steve from Pittsburgh on 05/22/08 at 03:24 PM ET
holy *#$%@&, you might be the most annoying blogger ever
Posted by lilja4mvp on 05/22/08 at 03:31 PM ET
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Posted by Rumbear from Betty Ford Center, Outbound. on 05/22/08 at 12:03 PM ET