I think what is maddening about Franzen for many of us is the night and day difference you see hin his game at times.
Good Franzen: seeing him come out on a few shifts, periods or if we're really lucky, games, in a row and be assertive on offense by driving the net, throwing his weight around, and shooting the damn puck whenever he gets a chance.
But good Franzen is followed up by Bad Franzen, where he pulls a disappearing act for games at a time where you don't even notice him in the game other than turning it over on soft plays. He doesn't drive the net, go to the hard areas, or use his sizable frame at all.
No argument that his production compared to his cap hit is great, but IMO he just checks out during the season for stretches of games at a time. It's not like he's the only pro athlete who seemingly has a tough time being fully engaged for a long season. I'm open to explanations on what's happening during the bad times for him.
He had a bad playoffs last year and was rightfully demoted, but in fairness none of the forwards had a good playoff and he's not the type of player who is going to carry a team on his back.
This season he didn't go 2 games in a row without a point before injuring his hip. Even then he only went 3 games without one and was +2 over that span.
Until he went down with injury most of this board had been noting his improved play this year and you'd think our play since he's been out would be further proof of just how important he is to the team.
The only thing you'd get in return for him would be prospects or picks both of which will need to develop a long time to replace what he brings now.