While the Detroit Red Wings appear confident that they’ll get left-winger Justin Abdelkader back from a hand injury in time for Game 3 of their Stanley Cup opening-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena, the odds on when forward Johan Franzen might return to the Red Wings remain as murky as the feelings often are in his head.
“I’m finally starting to feel a little bit better,… suggested Franzen, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion when hit by Edmonton Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer in a Jan. 6 game.
He’s been skating lightly on his own the past couple of weeks, but it’s been a long road so far for Franzen, one without a definite destination.
“The first two months I didn’t get out of bed pretty much,… Franzen said. “I got up and tried to do whatever and got a migraine and had to shut right down.
“The last month, its been progressing slowly but steadily getting better. I’ve still got a lot of issues but at least I can get through workouts and get something done during the day.…
There are still symptoms present and usually, by mid-day or early evening, Franzen will experience headaches or nausea and be forced to stop whatever he is doing and just lay down in bed.
“I usually get a setback in the afternoon and at night but I’m just happy that I can work out and start to feel like a human being again,… Franzen said. “It’s tough too when you’re used to doing something every day and then you’re shut down for two months.
“You don’t feel good anywhere. It’s tough mentally and it’s tough physically.…
As much as he misses playing, there are other more personal milestones that Franzen is also thrilled to achieve, such as simply being able to do activities with his children once again.
“This time was a little bit scarier,… Franzen said of his latest bout with concussion. “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 but you know I’m slowly getting better, so that puts my mind to rest. I feel a lot better mentally. I was in a really dark place - maybe not the first month because you think it’s going get better - but then when it doesn’t get better, you start wondering.
“It’s tough to see the disappointment in their eyes when they ask ‘Why can’t dad play with us?’ It breaks your heart but it’s a lot better now so I can do all that stuff and it feels really good.…
Franzen won’t allow himself to believe that this is a career-threatening situation and in fact maintains the slim hope that if the Wings go on a long playoff run, he might be part of it.
“I wouldn’t rule it out completely,… Franzen said. “I’m skating, so maybe deep in the playoffs there would be a chance if it would turn around like soon but then it’s got to turn around within like two weeks or something like that to be able to get in shape for this playoffs.
“I had my mind set on coming back so I just hope that one day I’ll wake up and it’s gone. Like I said, at least I’m getting through some workouts now and I can start feeling better overall.
“Yeah, it’s a long shot but it’s a scenario. Maybe there’s a chance. I don’t think anyone is counting on me but I don’t want to give it up, either.
“I’m just happy I’m feeling better. Hopefully, it’s going to progress a little bit every week and hopefully I will be fine.…
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