Johan Franzen strives to improve

Mules are known to be stubborn creatures but the Red Wings' Mule, Johan Franzen, is only stubborn about one thing.

"I'm not happy with where I am right now," Franzen said. "I want to get better."

That's great news for the Red Wings and their fans. Franzen has gone from scoring 12 and 10 goals in his first two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07) to 27 in 2007-08 and 34 last season.

"He's come a long way and confidence is a big thing," coach Mike Babcock said. "Now he has to take his game to another level. It's important he continues to be a physical guy, gets involved in all the battles and is a real net presence for us."

Franzen, who turns 30 on Dec. 23, also has no intention of being a one-way player. He has never had a minus season and was a career-best plus-21 last season.

"I like to think I can play a lot of parts of the game," Franzen said. "That's something I take pride in. I want to play good defense even if I score goals."

Nicklas Lidstrom, the team captain and six-time Norris Trophy winner, has watched Franzen develop and said he still sees room for Franzen to grow.

"He's just getting comfortable in his role," Lidstrom said. "When he came here, he was more of a forechecker and penalty killer. Playing on the third and fourth lines, you're more of a checker. Then when you get put on the top two lines, he had a chance to do a little bit more, play on the power play, and he really took advantage of it. So I really think he's going to get better and better."

It would be difficult for Franzen to get much better than he has been in the postseason the last couple of years. He had 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in 16 games in 2007-08 and 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 23 games last season.

"He broke Gordie Howe's goal-scoring record in the playoffs two years ago," general manager Ken Holland said.

Franzen scored nine goals in four games against the Avalanche, breaking Howe's record of eight goals in one playoff series.

Franzen relishes being asked to perform in crunch time.

"Of course you want to be a go-to player when a game's on the line," Franzen said. "You want to be the guy the coach puts out there. Only good things can come from that. It's pressure but it's good pressure."

There is a player that Franzen aspires to be more like -- teammate Pavel Datsyuk.

"He's the best, that's why," Franzen said. "He's a guy who works the hardest out there every game. You can see it on his takeaways, everything. Just as great offensively as he is defensively. He's got all parts of the game."

Holland feels Franzen can be the best, which is why he signed him to an 11-year, $43 million contract extension in April.

"It's great security," Franzen said. "I hope I will continue to improve. You don't want to get too comfortable. You always want to feel that guys below are coming. You have to prove yourself every day."

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