GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen has been a magnet for abuse in his past nine games.

San Jose's Douglas Murray leveled Franzen with a blindside hit to the head with his shoulder in the final game of the playoffs last season. Then, in the first period of his first preseason game, Franzen suffered a charley horse when Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik stuck out his leg to check him. On Thursday, Dallas' Mark Fistric elbowed Franzen in the head, resulting in a slight concussion.

Franzen said he is fine after the latest hit. He missed Saturday night's game in Phoenix but hopes to return Thursday against Calgary at Joe Louis Arena.

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound forward has taken his share of what many would consider cheap shots. The NHL, however, doesn't agree. None of the incidents resulted in a suspension, and only the Orpik hit drew a penalty.

Franzen does not think he is being targeted by opponents.

"I don't think so. It's just the way I play the game," Franzen said. "Go straight to the net, you're going to be in some collisions."

Does he ever feel like inflicting some damage of his own?

"I do, but I keep my elbows in check," Franzen said.

An MRI on Friday revealed nothing significant. The club wanted to rule out the possibility that Franzen sustained another subdural hematoma, which idled him for a couple weeks during the 2008 playoffs.

"It's a concussion, but that's not what they were worried about," Franzen said. "That (potential hematoma) is what they always check now because I have a history of that. They just want to be safe."

Franzen was kicking a soccer ball against the wall by himself outside the dressing room at Jobing.com Arena while his teammates were on the ice for the morning skate. He said he feels much better.

"I'll work out a little bit (off ice), see if I get any symptoms," he said. "That's the next step."

Miller takes Franzen's spot

Drew Miller was moved up from the fourth line to replace Franzen on the line with Todd Bertuzzi and Valtteri Filppula.

Miller relishes the opportunity to provide some energy on a scoring line.

"I had a little experience with it last year," Miller said. "You never want to see any players go out, but if I can step in and help contribute to that line, my role is to get in there and forecheck."

Bertuzzi's role does not change. Babcock still wants him at the net, not playing the puck on the perimeter.

"One of the things I don't want to happen is just because we got one guy out let's change everything," Babcock said. "Keep doing what you do."

Abdelkader might return Thursday

Babcock said Justin Abdelkader was not playing Saturday. The forward said he is feeling good after skating for more than a week following his rib injury in the preseason finale Oct. 2.

Abdelkader could be available for Thursday's game.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (back spasms) made the trip but has not resumed skating.