Red Wings Place Franzen on IR

Whenever the Detroit Red Wings are in town, I make it a point to at least look at ticket prices. “We’re focused on the 20 guys we’re going to have dressed (Friday) night”.

Hedman isn’t the only guy who may be unavailable, either, as Nikita Nesterov may face a suspension for his hit from behind from Thursday (which hospitalized Curtis McKenzie).

“I just needed a few time to think about things”, said Cleary, 36, who was waived at the end of the exhibition season and didn’t immediately report to the Griffins.

“I want to teach the young players what it means to be a good pro”, Cleary said. I think he is a great person.

“Obviously with us playing it’s tough to see a lot of it. I’ll try to catch it and see it on our phones”.

Just before the start of the regular season Franzen said that he was still dealing with symptoms and would pretty much need to shut down after working out.

“It’s unfortunate”, Blashill said. So you certainly don’t want to see it, none of his teammates want to see it, I don’t want to see it, but it’s the reality right now and I feel extraordinarily bad for him.

Franzen, 35, has suffered multi concussions in his career, the last of which occurred last January after a blind-side hit by Edmonton’s Rob Klinkhammer last January. The Atlantic Division club has been plagued by injuries since the pre-season – they’re still awaiting the return of veteran forward Pavel Datsyuk (LTIR) – and it seems the man games lost by the Columbus Blue Jackets could turn out to be Detroit’s fate this year. He finished the game, but began experiencing concussion-like symptoms the next day. The squad, however, could be missing one of its best penalty killers with center Luke Glendening questionable after getting hurt on a blocked shot Tuesday.

But Cleary’s production has declined in those three seasons, and last season he only played 17 games scoring one goal with one assist. “He had a few swelling that didn’t allow him to practice so I don’t know if he’ll be available or not”, Blashill said.

“I think the loser has to wear the other team’s shirt and hat and I think we have dinner on the line”, Abdelkader said.