The Red WIngs are hopeful that Franzen will be available for Tuesday. Detroit head coach Mike Babcock says that Franzen will need practice time before he returns to the lineup.

This would be the third game in the last four that Franzen has missed with a combination of an undisclosed injury and an illness. The Red Wings have won three straight with limited help from Franzen so they will likely let him sit so he can get to 100%. Franzen will likely be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. Dallas.

Franzen left Friday night's contest with the Flames with an illness and will not play tonight vs. Edmonton. Mikael Samuelsson or Jordin Tootoo will enter the lineup in Franzen's absence.

Franzen will not play tonight vs. the Canucks but he will join the team in Calgary and play on Friday. He has two goals and three assists while averaging 17:12 TOI in 12 games.

The nature of Franzen's injury was not announced, but it is serious enough to keep him out of Wednesday's contest in Vancouver. Monitor his status prior to Friday's matchup with Calgary. Luke Glendening was recalled from Grand Rapids to travel out-west with the Red Wings.

I have my coffee and ready to roll. What happened to Joey Crabb? Where did he go? A wild shootout in the desert yesterday afternoon.  I didn't know the Coyotes had it in them.  Oilers, yes.  Coyotes, no. RNH has rebounded nicely after last year's lost season. Rob Klinkhammer is more of a wrestling name than a hockey name. It's shame he didn't score in that Edmonton/Phoenix game. That's three games in a row with 6 SOG for David Perron. What a devil! Speaking of the devil, New Jersey pulled an unlikely upset of the Boston Bruins last night. Or was it old-timers day as Jarome Iginla (G, 2A), Jaromir Jagr (2A), Marek Zidlicky (G) & Martin Brodeur (W) all were prominent figures in the game. Give them the day off today, pleeease! Big shutdown night as Crosby and Ovechkin were both held without a point with Stamkos & Malkin only 1 assist each. That Phil Kessel is something else. Logan Couture is heating up for what should be a career year. Antti Niemi and Tuukka Rask will surely battle until the very last day for top goaltender honors, barring injury of course. Carey Price was terrific in net again last night, but his team couldn't gain any momentum in the game. Once Pacioretty returns, Price will get on a winning streak if he continues to play this way. Jimmy Howard has been struggling since his return from injury. He's lost 4 in a row.  Try to grab him on the cheap. There are only 8 teams with a record under .500 in the NHL. Johan Franzen had 7 SOG in the game against the Rangers; showing that he's not so stubborn to shoot the puck after two straight games with none. Top shooter on the Rangers? Anton Stralman. Yikes. Patrick Roy has done an amazing job in Colorado so far. Let's see how long this lasts. The Sabres just can't score. Perhaps they need to change coaches again. Poor Thomas Vanek. The Philadelphia Flyers are turning it around and Steve Mason is finally getting the wins that he deserves.   It helps that everyone is back in the lineup too. These young Islanders are looking good so far this year: Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. You know besides JT & Matt Moulson. Nielsen is tied for third in league scoring.  Just thought you'd like to know that. I think Lecavalier likes playing in Philly. What do you think? Standings are finally forming into what they should be except I have to do a double take each time I see the Avalanche at the top of the Central. I definitely did not expect to see a 2-1 Shootout game in the Winnipeg/Dallas game. There are too ...

In the 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Colorado Avalanche last night, the vast array of firepower on the Detroit Red Wings was on full display, led by two-goal efforts by both both Pavel Datsyuk (who else?) and Johan Franzen. Daniel Alfredsson chipped in with three big helpers, including two with the man advantage. In particular, the 40-year old "Alfie" was a bit of a question mark for fantasy owners joining Detroit now during his twilight years and having never played for another team other than his beloved Ottawa Senators. However, the seasoned Swede has fit in nicely as a complimentary scorer, albeit in a more expanded role given the big minutes he gets on their explosive power play. With one goal and 8 assists in eight games, Alfredsson is definitely worth a look as a depth forward on your fantasy squads.. Niklas Kronwall sustained a concussion early in the first period after a hit by Colorado's Cody McLeod, and did not return. Early reports point to him missing some time, but he needs to be re-evaluated by team doctors. In the interim, Jakub Kindl will be the main beneficiary in his absence, as he gobbled up all the top power-play time (5:00) and also picked up an assist. Kronwall owners should scoop him up ASAP...Goalie Jonas Gustavsson was spectacular in the crease, thwarting away 38 of 40 Colorado shots. In relief of the injured Jimmy Howard, he has gone 3-0 with 1.67 GAA and a .953 SP. Other Fantasy Notes: Remember the hot start by Patrick Marleau last season? The Shark forward is back to his "old tricks", scoring a goal in his fourth straight game and now has nine points in seven games. Just know that he will slow down big-time at some point. However, he is more than capable of 30-goal, 70-point production even in his waning years.. In the 2-1 SO win for the Kings over the Predators, the goaltending duel between Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne is a clear example why both belong in the fantasy top-five year-in, year-out... Ottawa's Jason Spezza is on fire, recording his second straight three-point game. When healthy, the Sen's captain is fantasy gold. Coming off an injury-plagued season, a huge comeback is coming.. Promising defensemen Dougie Hamilton scored his first goal of the season for Boston. The youngster has taken a backseat to Torey Krug on the "B's" power play, but is too talented to ignore. Expect him to make his mark later in the year, as he continues to learn from his growing pains during his sophomore season.. Marian ...

In the 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Colorado Avalanche last night, the vast array of firepower on the Detroit Red Wings was on full display, led by two-goal efforts by both both Pavel Datsyuk (who else?) and Johan Franzen. Daniel Alfredsson chipped in with three big helpers, including two with the man advantage. In particular, the 40-year old "Alfie" was a bit of a question mark for fantasy owners joining Detroit now during his twilight years and having never played for another team other than his beloved Ottawa Senators. However, the seasoned Swede has fit in nicely as a complimentary scorer, albeit in a more expanded role given the big minutes he gets on their explosive power play. With one goal and 8 assists in eight games, Alfredsson is definitely worth a look as a depth forward on your fantasy squads.. Niklas Kronwall sustained a concussion early in the first period after a hit by Colorado's Cody McLeod, and did not return. Early reports point to him missing some time, but he needs to be re-evaluated by team doctors. In the interim, Jakub Kindl will be the main beneficiary in his absence, as he gobbled up all the top power-play time (5:00) and also picked up an assist. Kronwall owners should scoop him up ASAP...Goalie Jonas Gustavsson was spectacular in the crease, thwarting away 38 of 40 Colorado shots. In relief of the injured Jimmy Howard, he has gone 3-0 with 1.67 GAA and a .953 SP. Other Fantasy Notes: Remember the hot start by Patrick Marleau last season? The Shark forward is back to his "old tricks", scoring a goal in his fourth straight game and now has nine points in seven games. Just know that he will slow down big-time at some point. However, he is more than capable of 30-goal, 70-point production even in his waning years.. In the 2-1 SO win for the Kings over the Predators, the goaltending duel between Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne is a clear example why both belong in the fantasy top-five year-in, year-out... Ottawa's Jason Spezza is on fire, recording his second straight three-point game. When healthy, the Sen's captain is fantasy gold. Coming off an injury-plagued season, a huge comeback is coming.. Promising defensemen Dougie Hamilton scored his first goal of the season for Boston. The youngster has taken a backseat to Torey Krug on the "B's" power play, but is too talented to ignore. Expect him to make his mark later in the year, as he continues to learn from his growing pains during his sophomore season.. Marian ...

The 2013-2014 PrimePucks Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide has been updated as of October 3rd, 9:10 pm.  The Guide is revised with all the latest developments so that you can be prepared for your fantasy hockey draft.  As we near the start of the season, the Guide is updated more frequently so that you can be assured you have the most current and relevant information at your hands.  Just access the updated Guide through the FILES link in "My Account".  Get it now and WOW your fantasy opponents! UPDATE: Minnesota signed RW Jason Pominville to a 5-year contract extension. If I were playing on a line with Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise, I'd sign on the dotted line too. After seeing his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, play last night against Detroit, he may be happier than ever with a new contract....Boston signs solid D-man Dennis Seidenberg to a 4-year extension....ALL UPDATED IN THE GUIDE ALREADY!!! THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED--With the Detroit Red Wings moving into the Eastern Conference, people have been saying how the competition is tougher in the East. I say that the perennial powerhouse Red Wings will benefit from not having to travel across multiple time zones so many times across a full NHL season just to play a game. All that travel takes its toll on one's body and mental toughness.  You could reasonably expect better than average numbers from the Detroit players this season because of this factor, and you will probably notice the difference in their level of play as the season progresses. Detroit finished in the middle of the pack last season in terms of Power Play ranking.  By the looks of last night's game, they are gunning for the top spot  in that category as they sported a 1st power play unit of Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall at the points with Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk rounding out the unit. Although they were held off the board in last night's game, this group looks lethal. More Game Notes: NEW SEASON, NEW PLAYERS, NEW BEGINNINGS--New acquisition G Jonathan Bernier looked very solid in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs as he turned away 31 of 32 shots on goal to earn the road victory against Steve Mason and the Philadelphia Flyers. Bernier has stepped out from behind Jonathan Quick's shadow in Los Angeles and now battles James Reimer for playing time in TO. Bernier raised the bar with last night's solid effort.  Mason, who was acquired at the trade deadline last season, and Bernier are trying to prove to their teams that ...

The 2013-2014 PrimePucks Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide has been updated as of October 3rd, 9:10 pm.  The Guide is revised with all the latest developments so that you can be prepared for your fantasy hockey draft.  As we near the start of the season, the Guide is updated more frequently so that you can be assured you have the most current and relevant information at your hands.  Just access the updated Guide through the FILES link in "My Account".  Get it now and WOW your fantasy opponents! UPDATE: Minnesota signed RW Jason Pominville to a 5-year contract extension. If I were playing on a line with Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise, I'd sign on the dotted line too. After seeing his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, play last night against Detroit, he may be happier than ever with a new contract....Boston signs solid D-man Dennis Seidenberg to a 4-year extension....ALL UPDATED IN THE GUIDE ALREADY!!! THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED--With the Detroit Red Wings moving into the Eastern Conference, people have been saying how the competition is tougher in the East. I say that the perennial powerhouse Red Wings will benefit from not having to travel across multiple time zones so many times across a full NHL season just to play a game. All that travel takes its toll on one's body and mental toughness.  You could reasonably expect better than average numbers from the Detroit players this season because of this factor, and you will probably notice the difference in their level of play as the season progresses. Detroit finished in the middle of the pack last season in terms of Power Play ranking.  By the looks of last night's game, they are gunning for the top spot  in that category as they sported a 1st power play unit of Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall at the points with Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk rounding out the unit. Although they were held off the board in last night's game, this group looks lethal. More Game Notes: NEW SEASON, NEW PLAYERS, NEW BEGINNINGS--New acquisition G Jonathan Bernier looked very solid in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs as he turned away 31 of 32 shots on goal to earn the road victory against Steve Mason and the Philadelphia Flyers. Bernier has stepped out from behind Jonathan Quick's shadow in Los Angeles and now battles James Reimer for playing time in TO. Bernier raised the bar with last night's solid effort.  Mason, who was acquired at the trade deadline last season, and Bernier are trying to prove to their teams that ...