Johan Franzen Potentially Rocket Richard Material

Individual awards are a mere consolation in comparison to the Stanley Cup. That’s not to say that they don’t hold extreme value to players and audiences. One trophy does triumph the thought of receiving none.

After the Hart Memorial Trophy, deciding which piece of hardware is regarded in the highest manner proves to be rather difficult. There are many statistics to browse through.

Truth be told, there are no irrelevant numbers in the game because each one holds a certain value. Goaltenders cherish that all-important single save that reverses the outcome of a match.

A future Rocket Richard holder? (Photo courtesy of angieu/ Flikr.)

Skaters on the other hand, love to score goals. The first goal in a career is never forgotten and it has become a tradition to keep the puck in memory of it. It’s not as if you can remember assists in an identical fashion.

Regardless of how many goals someone’s potential can grab, each one puts a smile on their face. Goal-scorers garner their fair share of the attention during a game.

The Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy requires no introduction. Named after a player who could frighten you with the intense look in his eyes long before touching the puck, it is handed to the league’s leading goal-getter at the season’s end.

Donated by the Montreal Canadiens in 1999, Richard was the first player in NHL history to net 50 goals in one year. Stars like Pavel Bure, Teemu Selanne, Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk have earned this prestigious honor through their scoring ability.

Of the 12 occasions the trophy was won, 50 goals or more were necessary for its winner eight times. Bure, Iginla and Alexander Ovechkin each possessed it twice. Besides Jonathan Cheechoo, there is no name that should serve as a surprise.

Looking at the next batch of forwards who can contend for their first title, some big names stick out. Jeff Carter, Zach Parise, Eric Staal, Thomas Vanek and Mike Cammalleri all come to mind.

In talent-plentiful Detroit, yet another stud is emerging and that’s Johan Franzen. The 29-year-old finished 2007/2008 emphatically with 15 goals in the final 16 games of the season. That included six game-winners in the month of March which broke Gordie Howe’s record.

Considering that his career-high 27 goals were mostly composed in such a late course, the thought of Franzen remaining hot in the upcoming postseason was a scary one.

He scored 13 goals in the playoffs (five of them game-winners) tying Henrik Zetterberg for the team and league lead. These two set a Red Wings record for total playoff goals scored in on year. Franzen played 16 games whereas Zetterberg competed in 22.

The native of Vetlanda broke a franchise record for most goals in a single series with nine in four games against the Colorado Avalanche during the second round. Again, an accomplishment that surpassed Howe’s previously held mark.

Pulling off such feats in a short time will boon your reputation.

A former third-round selection, Franzen built off his success with 34 goals and 25 assists this season for 59 points. The Mule is leading the Detroit onslaught in these playoffs with nine goals and as many assists currently.

Dating back to last year, he has 22 goals and 14 assists in 29 postseason matches. His underrated stick-handling and strength along the boards has taught others a valuable lesson: don’t take this power forward lightly.

Team effort is what the Red Wings accomplish best. Even in such an atmosphere containing a multitude of hard-workers, a scorer sticks out like a gold brick. Nearly 63 percent of Franzen’s points in the past two seasons have come through goals (61 with 36 assists).

If that doesn’t scream out natural scorer, then I don’t know what does.

An 11-year contract produced in April ensures that the majority of Franzen’s scoring, if not all, takes place as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Strong on the puck and versatile in his movement, his desire to reach the front of the net cannot be denied at times.

No Swede has ever won the Rocket Richard Trophy in its brief history.

There’s a first time for everything and Johan Franzen would be a fitting recipient.