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Franzen back on ice

August 20, 2015, 7:20 PM ET [14 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
A few of the Detroit Red Wings are already skating at Joe Louis Arena. Among those partaking in informal workouts are Henrik Zetterberg, Danny DeKeyser, and perhaps most interestingly of all, Johan Franzen.

The Detroit forward hasn’t played an NHL game since suffering a concussion Jan. 6 when hit by Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer in a game at Edmonton.

Now, informal skates are a long way off from the pace and brutality of an NHL game, but the Wings seem optimistic that when training camp opens next month, Franzen will be a participant.

“Things can change because when you look around at the world that we live in, pro hockey and the odd player that gets a concussion, maybe starts to get a few, that eventually, sometimes that makes the decision for them,” Detroit GM Ken Holland said recently. “But as you and I are speaking here, my expectation is that Franzen is coming to training camp to play hockey.

“My expectation is that he’s going to be healthy and ready to go.”

Earlier in the summer, Franzen allowed that he’s uncertain as to the number of concussions he’s suffered during his NHL career, only able to note that it’s been “more” than three or four.

“This time was scary,” Franzen admitted the last time he spoke about it publicly. “This time was a little bit scarier. You go for two months not being able to pick up your kids or play with your kids for more than two minutes. It makes you think a little bit.

“I was in a really dark place - maybe not the first month because you think it’s going to get better - but then when it doesn’t get better, you start wondering.”

Through even his most difficult days, Franzen remained steadfast that he’d be back on the ice, never allowing the thought that his career was over to enter his mind.

“No, I had my mind set on coming back,” Franzen said.

And back he is, though a long way from completing the journey to full recovery. But as a first step, being able to be back on skates at the Joe is a good start.

All You Need Is Love
The newest member of the Red Wings’ family is Love Zetterberg. The seven-pound son of Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg and his wife Emma was born Thursday. In this case, Love is pronounced Loo-vay.

Zetterberg received well wishes from many, including teammate Pavel Datsyuk.

“Congratulations to Henrik and Emma Zetterberg on the birth of son Love,” Datsyuk tweeted. “(His daughter) Vasilisa & the rest of our family wishing lots of love and happiness!”

Attack Mode
The Wings signed unrestricted free agent Mike Green in the summer in order to bolster the offensive output of their back end, and the most recent addition to the team brings similar impact, albeit at a much lower level of hockey.

Defenseman Robbie Russo, a free-agent addition who figures to play with AHL Grand Rapids, put up 15-26-41 numbers for Notre Dame last season and was selected to the NCAA East Second All-American Team and the Hockey East First All-Star Team.

The six-foot, 191-pound Russo, 22, was originally drafted 95th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2011 NHL entry draft, but was never signed. The reason for that, according to hockey people, is that as much as Russo displays a significant offensive upside, his defensive game is vastly inferior.

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