The Left Wing Lock

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The Red Wings have had a lot to be happy about the last few days after clinching the Central Division title and securing their spot in the NHL playoffs for the 20th consecutive year. While both are significant accomplishments, Detroit is a team that measures its success in the playoffs and not  by season awards or division titles. That being said, the Red Wings enter the post season with significant areas that must be improved to have a chance at a long Stanley Cup run. Here’s a look at a few key areas:

• Big guns must fire regularly – Johan Franzen … Continue Reading
  

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The Red Wings surprised many in 2004 making Johan Franzen their first pick in the draft that year. Detroit had to wait until the 97th overall pick after trading away their first two picks in trade deadline deals. At the time of the draft, Franzen was 24 years-old and had been passed over in multiple drafts causing some to question the selection.

Hakan Andersson, the Red Wings top European scout, pushed for Franzen because of his size and defensive game. When Detroit picked him, they projected the 6-foot-3, 220-pound winger as a defensive player who could fill out their bottom … Continue Reading