Johan Franzen 1-3-15

The Red Wings' Johan Franzen hasn't played or even worked out off ice in six weeks due to a concussion.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen has been out for six weeks with a concussion and doesn't appear close to returning.

Franzen hasn't been cleared to even begin off-ice workouts due to headaches and hasn't been at Joe Louis Arena much.

"I believe he's getting a little bit better," general manager Ken Holland said. "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."

Franzen, who has a history of concussions, was injured from a blindside hit by Edmonton's Rob Klinkhammer on Jan. 6. Franzen finished the game but began experiencing concussion symptoms the next day.

"The way it works, I think, is they start to feel better for a while and then they ride a bike," Holland said. "They come the next day and they feel OK, so they ride a bike a little harder. Then after three, four, five days of riding a bike they keep ramping up and ramping up and ramping up. But until he has a number of days in a row where he feels good you never push it to the next level.

"All I know is he needs to be here every day riding the bike and if he's not here every day, he's not on the radar screen to return to play hockey anytime soon."

The Red Wings have gone 10-3-1 since Franzen was injured.

Goalie decision coming before long trip

Holland said they trim a goalie before the five-game trip that starts Saturday at Dallas.

"Before we head out to Dallas we're going to make a decision," Holland said. "What we want to do is make sure Howie's groin is good. So we'll get through tonight's game and in the next 2-3 days we'll make a decision of some sort."

The easiest move is sending Petr Mrazek back to the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he can stay sharp by playing regularly.

The Red Wings could attempt to trade Jonas Gustavsson for a draft pick. But that could leave them in a precarious situation if Howard is injured and Mrazek, who has no playoff experience, falters.

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