Johan "The Mule" Franzen (pronounced /jaʊ.ɑːn frɑːnzɛn/ YOW-ahn-FRAHN-zen, born December 23, 1979(1979-12-23), in Vetlanda, Sweden) is a Swedish professional ice hockey center playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.

Franzen started playing ice hockey in Boro/VHC, Landsbro near Vetlanda in Sweden. He was suspended for a full year after knocking down a referee, but was then moved to play with the Tranås AIF in the Swedish Allsvenskan in 1999. After one season with the club he moved to Linköping were he stayed for five seasons, helping the club win the promotion for play in the Swedish elite league Elitserien in 2001. Recommended by European scout Håkan Andersson, Franzén was drafted by the Red Wings in 2004. For the 2005–06 NHL season, Franzén played in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings totalling 80 games for 16 points (12 goals, 4 assists) in his rookie season. His workmanlike service was lauded by former teammate and Captain Steve Yzerman, who gave Johan the nickname "The Mule", because "he carries the load".

In August 2006, Franzen re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings to a three-year contract worth $2.825 million. On April 21, 2007, during a playoff game versus the Calgary Flames, backup goaltender Jamie McLennan slashed Franzen in the stomach, resulting in a game misconduct for McLennan. In the following game (Game 6), Franzen scored the double-overtime winning goal to advance the Red Wings past the Flames.