True or False: Johan Franzen will score 40+ goals
by Casey Richey on Aug 11, 2010 1:04 PM CDT
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PrintFirst of all, yes I am in fact alive. Big ups to JJ for providing some excellent work in my absence.
Second, this is going to be a bit of a multi-part series that we'll run throughout the remainder of the off-season. Probably about 2 posts like this per week as sort of a way for generating some conversation as well as seeing your confidence/lack of confidence in the Wings heading into the upcoming season.
Our first focus will be on Johan Franzen. Franzen has progressed with his scoring touch over the years and he was lined up for a big season in 2009-2010 before a knee injury sidelined him. "The Mule" registered 10 goals in his 27 games last season as well as an additional six playoff goals--including his big four goal performance against the Sharks in Game 4. Franzen has emerged as a big time scoring threat on the Red Wings but also hits cold streaks every now and then. Will 2010-2011 be the Year of the Mule?
Back in 2008-2009, Franzen really started to strut his stuff with 34 goals in 71 games (about a goal every other game) and 12 goals in the playoff run. His ability to come through in the clutch has been a big factor of his success and one of the things that makes him such a threat. In addition, he shows good instincts for where to be on the ice and is a patient puck carrier, which allows him to take the best shot possible. He'll have a bit of a challenge scoring 40 goals with the amount of talent surrounding him but he definitely has the skill set to do so.
Why it will happen: As mentioned before, Franzen has started to show his scoring touch in the past few years and his skills seemingly get better. He's developed a quick release paired with an accurate aim and for a big guy he's got really soft hands around the crease.
Why it won't happen: Injuries have been a problem for Franzen since he came into the league. He's a big guy but he also takes a lot of physical punishment and it could wear him down. Or, he could have a freak accident like last year. But let's not think like that, shall we?
My take: I'm going to side with "True" on this one. The Red Wings are heading into the 2010-2011 season with the likely pairing of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the top line with Tomas Holmstrom. On the second line, Franzen will likely be centered by Valtteri Filppula and have Todd Bertuzzi playing the wing opposite him. In my book though, you can throw out the notion of it being the "second line" and just call them lines 1a and 1b. I think people will be surprised by the amount of chemistry that a Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi will have. Filppula is an excellent set up man and Bertuzzi can muscle space open. Franzen's the top target offensively and I think there will be no problem "Feeding the Mule" throughout the season.
Your turn: weigh in on what you think of Franzen's chances of scoring 40 or more goals.
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With Datsyuk and Zetterberg out there as well as adding Modano and Hudler on that third line, I don’t see him getting 40 goals. Our third line is going to be seeing a lot more playing time this year. It’s gotten that much better. As it stands, it is easily better than most 2nd lines in the league.
I can see Mule hitting the back of the net 30 times this season, but not 40. There’s just too much firepower on this team.
I Vote Yes
With a full, uninjured year (knock on wood), he’s more than capable of being that guy, especially if he has Datsyuk feeding him pucks all season long.
by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 11, 2010 1:18 PM CDT reply actions
Short answer no with an if….long answer yes with a but.
Sorry, Simpsons quote.
Anyway, besides the obvious part about staying healthy all year, what Franzen will need is consistent linemates. He’s been a guy that has been moved around a lot, especially when Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom is reunited. If he gets on the top line with Pavel and stays there all year, and plays significant PP minutes, I don’t see why he can’t hit 40 goals this year. He’s been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the NHL the last couple of years when healthy, so I think he could do it.
"I really like the guys who go for the win in overtime" - HNIC's own Harry Neale
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Basically, I voted yes.
Good series. Looking forward to other ponderings for the rest of the off-season.
"I really like the guys who go for the win in overtime" - HNIC's own Harry Neale
Like to keep your communication short and to the point? Follow me on Twitter
that’s always one of the biggest things in terms of predictions. Who will be paired with who? It’s always a crapshoot and it can turn one players season into a career year or another’s into a dropped contract. Not that Franzen will get dropped, just exaggerating in terms of if he has an “off” year.
by Casey Richey on Aug 11, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Especially with the way that Babcock seems to be constantly tinkering with lines, and injuries to other players are always a factor as well.
Who knows whether Franzen would be the goal scorer he is today if Holmstrom hadn’t gotten hurt at the end of 2008? That allowed Franzen to get quality minutes with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and unleashed the Mule on the rest of the NHL.
The number of players who can put up 40 goals or 90 points without having quality linemates is very small. The Wings don’t have one of those guys (IMO), but do have one of the best collections of overall talent, allowing each guy to contribute and make the team successful. This is why Franzen has the potential to score 40 goals.
"I really like the guys who go for the win in overtime" - HNIC's own Harry Neale
Like to keep your communication short and to the point? Follow me on Twitter
I actually think that if they keep Z and Pav together all year that both of them will get 90 points.
by Casey Richey on Aug 11, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t see why not. As long as Hank stays healthy and the second line is productive, Babcock should keep them together all season.
"I really like the guys who go for the win in overtime" - HNIC's own Harry Neale
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I agree with this
If the lines remain fairly consistent throughout the season and Franzen stays healthy, I can see it happening. If he’s being moved around every week, he will probably fall short of 40.
by handsomerob1 on Aug 12, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I voted No, but want YES!!!
I don’t see Franzen getting 40 goals even though I would almost wet my pants if he did. With him being on the Flippy / Bert line, here is what I see happening….Fil tries to do too much with the puck because of his lackluster/injury riddled last year and turns the puck over OR Bert goes and makes too many dumb Offensive zone penalties that take away Franzen’s scoring chances. I really hope that I am wrong in this. I wish they would put Franzen on Pavel’s line though, I guess I’ll have to wait for Homer to retire for that to happen…..
I think Homer’s actually a better fit on the line with Z and Pav. He provides the screens and digs the puck out and although Franzen CAN do that, I think he’s better suited being ready for passes and letting Bert screen/dig the puck out.
by Casey Richey on Aug 11, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I voted yes....
…but I don’t believe it. For all the above stated reasons …I really have nothing new to add to the conversation.
Don't Panic!
I voted yes as long as
he doesn’t play against Chicago during the month of October. I believe it has been the last three seasons where he has played against Chicago in an October game and ended up with a major injury, none more so than last season. So this year, when we play Chicago in October, he is to be sequestered in the press box, with a body guard. I hereby volunteer for that duty.
don't even let him in the city, I say
Let him go ahead to the next town in the road trip or stay home an extra game. Stay away from Chicago at all costs.
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
My vote?
Was no. But I think with a full, healthy season next year…he’ll get high 30’s. Something like 37-38. He is a bit streaky, as Casey mentioned. I think he’ll need to be a little more consistent to be 40+.
But I can also see Franzen and Zetterberg switched up next season. Franzen-Datsyuk-Homer have played together a bunch the past couple seasons. And Fil and Z had some really good chemistry for the last part of this regular season, and playoffs. But I am pumped for Z and Pav on the same line again…
So in a nutshell, I vote high 30’s, but not break 40. I hope he proves me wrong.
His gpg average is .338 over the last four years which would prorates to about 28 goals for 82 games played. I don’t see him breaking out from that production that much. And when you add the fact that he hasn’t played a full healthy season since his rookie year 40 goals very hard. His career high of 34 in 08-09 when he played 71 games projected to 39 . So he never even projected to 40 if he played the whole season.
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Watch now he’ll get 60, just to spite me.
If it takes the need to spite you for a Wing to score 60 goals, I am willing to make that sacrifice.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 11, 2010 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope he is a very spiteful person just for you
:-D
In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Pride of Detroits village idiot
Game 4
I hope Franzen scores 40 this season! Johan scored 4 goals in game 4 of the series last year against the sharks. Game 3 was the 4-3 ot loss. I was at that game, what a long drive home.
you are correct. I was too hasty typing it up.
by Casey Richey on Aug 12, 2010 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I voted no
If he stays healthy, he’ll get 30+ and then turn it up for the playoffs.
In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Pride of Detroits village idiot
I need to add a big "IF Healthy" to my yes vote
If he comes close to playing in all 82 I think he can do it, and you know there will be times they will split up Z and Pavs and he will benefit from one of their presences.
all said and done I do think he will lead the team whatever the number
by ManBearPig21 on Aug 12, 2010 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions
You know, I’m reminded of a comment that a Free Press author made a few years back during Franzen’s ridiculous first two rounds of the 08 playoffs. It may have been Drew Sharp, not sure. Anyway, he said that if someone could convince Franzen that the regular season was as important as the playoffs, he could easily be neck and neck with Ovechkin, Malkin, and Crosby for the league lead in goals each season.
I'm ok with Franzen knowing that distinction
Taking the regular season just as seriously as the playoffs is why the Washington Capitals were golfing in May last season.
by handsomerob1 on Aug 12, 2010 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
yea..
they pulled a wings style exit.. there for a while that was our gig.. tear up the regular season then leave first round… or second.
How many times has that happened with Franzen on the team?
This year doesn’t count, as we didn’t “tear up” the regular season.
by handsomerob1 on Aug 12, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
We definitely choked for a few years in there
2003 and 2004 could probably be attributed to Dave Lewis, though we ran into a red-hot JS Giguere in ’03. Same with Roloson in 2006 with the Oilers.
I don’t know that I would call Bruce Boudreau the problem in DC, but if they collapse again in the first round this year I wouldn’t be surprised to see a change behind the bench. I think the Caps need to get better defensively to have a legit shot at getting out of the East though.
by handsomerob1 on Aug 12, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm ok calling Bruce Boudreau the problem in DC
by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 12, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he deserves one more year
It’s not like they were winners before he got there. I believe in the cliche “you have to lose before you can win.” Obviously there are exceptions to this, but I think it generally holds true.
by handsomerob1 on Aug 12, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe half a year
Depending on how the Capitals come out of the gate. I’m worried that Boudreau hasn’t learned his lesson on how to win after losing (given their increasing history of disappointment). The players can’t overcome if their coach can’t.
I’d be more afraid of them if they fired Boudreau in February like the Penguins did in 2009 than I would be if they had Boudreau all season.
by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 12, 2010 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I think
franzen is fully capable of 40 goal season.. it will be close but if hes healthy i think so.Wasnt it March of 08 (the only reason i remember this is because i was at the game when he broke the record) Franzen scored six game-winning goals in the last month of the regular-season to break Gordie Howe’s record. He also had 13 goals in the playoffs to tie Z…. Which is another record.. I cant doubt him. If he stay healthy i dont see any statistics telling me otherwise.
The Mule with 40+
As a devoted Wings fan, I would love to see it. Realistic, I say no. That’s a hard to do. As long as he is contributing, as he always does, I’m happy.
I voted no
I’ll be happy with 30-35 and no more than a few games here and there to bumps and nicks and bruises and cuts, but no surgery.
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
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