Notebook

The plan for Johan Franzen? Score more goals for Red Wings

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit --You ask the Wings about compensating for the loss of high-end players Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson and invariably you will hear two remedies.

One, the Wings will have to shore up the defense and penalty-kill unit -- the theory being if you don't yield as many goals, you don't have to score as many.

And two, there will be talk about getting more production from younger players such as Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Justin Abdelkader as well as getting more from returnee Valtteri Filppula and free-agent signees Todd Bertuzzi and Jason Williams.

What you don't often hear is that the departure of those three players creates more ice time and opportunity for a proven scorer like Johan Franzen. Franzen's goal production has climbed in each of the last three seasons -- from 10 to 27 to 34. Who's to say he can't score 40 this season?

"I want to take a step forward, that's for sure," said Franzen, whose role could be expanded to being on the No. 1 power-play unit this year. "I don't know exactly what my role will be but so far I seem to be more free, with a role on the power play.I just have to keep working on my shot and on getting open and trying to bury pucks when I get a chance. Because I think I am going to get a lot of chances."

If the 3-1 exhibition loss to Buffalo on Saturday was an indication, he's exactly right. Playing on the left wing with center Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, Franzen got 11 shots (two that just missed) on goalie Ryan Miller, several of which were superb scoring chances.

"It takes a game or two to get into it," Franzen said. "(Saturday) we got the timing right but not the finishing touch. Maybe that will come the next game."

If coach Mike Babcock keeps his line intact -- never a sure bet -- Franzen will have to do more than just shoot the puck. Holmstrom does most of his work in front of the net, so Franzen and Datsyuk will have more responsibility with the puck.

"It's a different role for me, but it's exciting," he said.

"I know I have to keep working on my passes in case it ends up that way (playing with Datsyuk and Holmstrom)."

Without question the Wings have heaped some heavy expectations upon Franzen's broad back; it's why they gave him a lifetime contract (11 years, $43 million) last April.

"You take a risk when you give a player a lifetime contract," general manager Ken Holland said. "You are gambling on the player's passion and work ethic. If you got a guy (like Franzen) who works all year-round and has a great passion for the game, your odds (of failure) are reduced.

"I am willing to bank on his passion, work ethic, his character and his heart."

Unlikely Pav fan

You need to try and get a mental picture of this. Datsyuk, for the second straight summer, held a skills and skating camp for kids back home in Russia (Yekaterinburg). Only one other NHL player showed up for it -- none other than Minnesota's 6-foot-7, 265-pound brawler Derek Boogaard.

"He was great," Datsyuk said. "He worked hard and set a good example for the kids. There was no jerking around; all good stuff. I am happy I met him."

Yeah but, somehow it's hard to picture Boogaard performing all the Datsyukian skating moves and stick-handling drills. Datsyuk smiled.

"I am just happy I am not trying to do what he does," he said. "No fighting."

chris.mccosky@detnews.com