Franzen on return: 'I don’t know if it’s smart or not.'

Whether or not you think Johan Franzen returning to the Red Wings is a good idea or not, it appears he is willing to do whatever it takes to get back to the game he loves.

Franzen was limited to just 33 games last season after suffering a concussion on Jan.6, scoring seven goals and adding 15 assists. The 35-year-old experienced major symptoms from the concussion, some very distressing.

“It feels good so far; it’s probably too early to tell until I start playing games,” Franzen told MLive.com. “I’m going at it hard – a little bit too much, actually – just to see that I can take it.”

“I haven’t been there yet, really, in my thoughts,” Franzen said. “It’s been so many tough years here the last 2-3 years with injuries; I just want to have a good year. I want to decide on my own when I quit. I’m excited to try to get back and have a good year.

“Being where I was mid-season, not being able to get out of bed, it really makes you appreciate being able to do what we do.”

“It’s four hours of working out, going on the ice, going biking, going full out, it kind of triggers (symptoms),” Franzen said. “I don’t know if it’s smart or not, but I do that. I think if I can do that, I can get through a game, or 82 games, hopefully.

“The way I work out then is going to be different than it is now. It’s going to be shorter, more explosive. A game is going to be different and I think it’s going to be easier. You’re going to get bumped a lot and there’s the mental stuff, too, but physically it’s going to be easier than what I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks.”

The Red Wings believe Franzen cleared in full when he takes his physical later this month at training camp. Franzen has five years remaining on his current 11-year, $43.5 million deal, but the question remains whether returning to action is the best idea for his health.

Time will tell.

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Images Courtesy of Keystone Press