There is a very real chance that Johan Franzen will not play against San Jose Saturday night. He is still suffering from back spasms. If Franzen can't play Jan Mursak will draw in.

Johan Franzen is dealing with back spasms. Franzen doesn't like his chances of playing in Saturday's game. He has 28 goals and 53 points in 71 games this season.

Johan Franzen found the net for a banged-up Detroit Red Wings team that fell to the Los Angeles Kings 5-2. It's good that "The Mule" found the net, but his -2 rating was a drawback. Franzen went an average 4-3 in the faceoff circle.

The Detroit Red Wings trotted out some new line combos with the most interesting one including Johan Franzen at center. Franzen was skating in between Gustav Nyquist and Daniel Cleary. Obviously Mike Babcock might just be experimenting in practice, but it'll be interesting to see how he works back in the pivot spot - where he's played sparingly before in his career.

Johan Franzen played on the Red Wings' third line on Tuesday. Franzen hadn't recorded a point in four games, so Red Wings coach Mike Babcock probably hoped that the demotion would spark him. It worked. Franzen scored a goal and registered an assist in Detroit's 5-2 victory over Columbus. With his slump over, we wouldn't be surprised if Franzen ends up back on one of Detroit's top two lines.

Johan Franzen potted a goal in the Red Wings' 3-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Monday night. Franzen scored his 20th goal for the Red Wings, who have lost two in a row. The Mule has now scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five NHL seasons and is also the league leader in GWG with nine on the season. Franzen is well on his way towards his most productive NHL season if he can remain healthy.

Johan Franzen potted a goal in Detroit's 3-2 shootout win over the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday night. With the marker tonight, The Mule now has 17 goals on the season as well as 37 points in 43 games and continues to be one of the most valuable assets in fantasy hockey. Franzen is well on his way towards his most productive NHL season if he can remain healthy.

Johan Franzen collected two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Johan Franzen registered his 18th and 19th helpers of the season in the loss to Toronto. Pavel Datsyuk also registered two assists in the loss. Detroit fell behind early in the first period and managed to tie the game in the 3rd period. Despite the sway of momentum, it was Toronto who broke the tie and came away with the victory.

Johan Franzen netted his 15th goal of the season in Detroit's 3-0 win on Saturday. Justin Abdelkader and Jiri Hudler accounted for the Red Wings other two goals. Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwall, Drew Miller, Valtteri Filppula, and Henrik Zetterberg each got an assist for Detroit.

Johan Franzen scored his 13th goal of the season in Detroit's 3-2 loss to St. Louis Tuesday. Franzen added four penalty minutes to round out his stat line for the night and continues to be one of the most valuable assets in fantasy hockey. Jiri Hudler also netted his third goal of the season in the loss.