Red Wings' Johan Franzen to play 1st game in 8 months

The return of the Mule.

Johan Franzen will dress for the first time in eight months Thursday when the Detroit Red Wings take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in a preseason clash.

The power forward was sidelined with a significant concussion for the bulk of last season, and spent the summer working his way back into playing condition despite numerous setbacks.

He admitted in an interview with WXYZ - a local news station in Detroit - that one more hit, one more head injury, would spell the end of his career.