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Holland: Franzen (concussion) not close to returning

Colorado Avalanche v Detroit Red Wings

Johan Franzen

NHLI via Getty Images

With Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard healthy, Johan Franzen is the last Detroit player left on the injured reserve list. It sounds like the Red Wings won’t be back to full strength anytime soon though.

Franzen, who is dealing with a concussion sustained on Jan. 6, still isn’t ready to resume even off-ice workouts.

“I believe he’s getting a little bit better,” Red Wings GM Ken Holland told MLive.com. “I know he’s working with Dr. (Jeff) Kutcher (a specialist at Michigan who treats sports concussions). I get a report occasionally from (trainer) Piet Van Zant when Piet talks to Dr. Kutcher. But (Franzen) is not here. He’s not on the bike. I don’t know how far he is away.”

The 35-year-old has a history of concussions and it most recently cost him 22 contests in 2013-14. He has seven goals and 22 points in 33 contests in 2014-15.

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