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Up-to-the minute updates and insights from the Red Wings locker room at home and on the road. By Chuck Pleiness of The Macomb Daily.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Franzen out 3-4 weeks

Johan Franzen has a Grade 2 sprain of the MCL (medial collateral ligament) in his right knee. Franzen's leg was injured during the second period of Saturday night's shootout loss in Chicago. Tuomo Ruutu was tripped by Pavel Datsyuk and fell on Franzen's leg.
The injury will keep Franzen out of the lineup for 3-4 weeks.
Detroit is carrying two spare forwards on its roster ... Aaron Downey and Matt Ellis. One will be inserted in the lineup for Monday's home game, but isn't likely to assume Franzen's role on the top line. A third-line player -- Dan Cleary, Valtteri Filppula or Kris Draper -- could be bumped up to Datsyuk's top line with Ellis or Downey skating on the third or fourth line. It's less likely that someone from the fourth line will go up to the first or that the second line centered by Henrik Zetterberg will be broken up.
Coach Mike Babcock's plan will likely be revealed at Monday's morning skate.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

And what about Grigs? maybe, it's time to try him with Datsyuk? Maybe, there'll be some chemistry...
What do u think about that, Bruce?

October 7, 2007 at 3:44 PM 
Blogger Chuck Pleiness said...

I think the franchise is committed to Grigs spending three weeks in GR. They'll get by without him. In a couple of months ... maybe teaming him with Datsyuk will happen.

October 7, 2007 at 10:57 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok. Thanx for commenting!.

October 8, 2007 at 9:08 AM 

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