Franzen signed on April 11, 2009.
At the end of 2008, Franzen scored 15 goals in 16 games.
Then in the 08 playoffs, Franzen scored 13 goals in 16 games
Then in 2009, until April 10, he scored 34 goals in 69 games.
During this stretch, Franzen scored 62 goals in 101 games
That's a 50 goal pace.
Now, if you want to know some Wings fans thought it was OK to sign mule instead of Hossa -- Before Hossa ever played a playoff game in Detroit -- that's why.
Some Detroit fans thought they'd just found a giant powerforward who could scored at a 40 to 50 goal pace.
Was some of Franzen's streak just luck? Sure.
But Franzen hasn't approached the eyepopping goal scoring ability he showed.
People will point to his caphit, and say, but a 28 goal guy is fine for $4m ayear.
But this wasn't a 5 year contract. This was a lifetime contract.
We were securing him for life based on 100 games or so.
I think questioning Franzen's effort is fair. We questioned Flip's effort quite a bit, and that was deserved, too.
Questions about Franzen's effort and commitment are legit, IMO.
He scored at a 50 goal pace for 101 games.
285 106
Since then he has 106 goals in 285 games -- which is a 30.4 goal pace
50.4 to 30.4
That's a huge fall.
So... to sum up Franzen's Red Wing career
Early Career 36 goals 229 games - 12.9 goals per 82 games
Beastmode til April 11 Contract -- 62 goals in 101 games, 50.3 goals per 82 games
Franzen Floater mode - 106 goals in 285 games - 30.4 goals per 82 games