Cody Franson on the trading block?

[jammer2]

I find this a little odd. FIrst of all, the Leafs have only 2 NHL left defensemen, Phaneuf and Franson. Second, he has a booming shot, what he lacks in straight away speed, he makes up for in positioning. I see a lot of offensive upside there. It would be a mistake to trade him from I've seen thus far. A far more reasonalbe proposition would be to trade John Michael-Liles, lots of guys on the current Leafs roster can do what he can do. I think they have somewhere around 6 mill left and have to sign Kadri, Franson and Komorov. He got protected a bit last year playing on the 5-6 pairing, didn't face many offensive threats, but nonetheless, a soild, solid player who is still getting better. Not sure how much he want's but if Gunnerson is worth 3.1 mill, I'd say Franson is worth at least 3.5.

I'm also a little puzzled they re-signed Joe Ranger to one year million dollar deal. Not sure if it's a one way deal or a two way deal. Apparently, he was the best Marlies d-man last year, but actually refused a call up in February, saying he's happy in the AHL. I still think he's one of the most underrated guys out there, plays a wonderfully simple game and is still a great skater. If nothing else, he's a great teacher and mentor to the Marlie kids, so there is value there. Would be a perfect 7th d-man in the press box type, cause what you see is what you get, don't have to worry about him stagnating or not growing cause he's as good as he will get.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=428504#YourCallTop

[peter puck]

You mean Paul Ranger ? I've see him play several times when he was with the Bolts and seemed to be a promising two way d- man.He must have come to terms with what ever caused him to take a couple of years off for personal reasons. The bolts gave him permission and never released any reasons as to why.

[Scorpion]

I can't see him getting too much more than Gunnarsson got, would be surprised if his contract is about 3.5 per year. He is more of a powerplay specialist, while Gunnarsson plays tougher minutes and is overall more important to the defense's core.. Don't get me wrong, good 2nd pairing guy but not worth more than Gunnarsson.. so hopefully he settles for a decent salary. My guess is he is asking for 4+ at the moment, which he will probably not get.

[jammer2]

@peter puck Thanks for the correction Peter, it is indeed Paul Ranger, don't know where I got Joe from.

Found this story on him, looks like he is right in the mix for the Leafs, cause it's a one way deal.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/07/24/maple-leafs-sign-defenceman-paul-ranger

[jammer2]

@Scorpion I think that's the case, he might just be asking in the 4 mill range, which is overvaluing himself a bit. He might have a bit of leverage, considering he's one of two left d-men.....but still won't get his asking price if it's 4 mill he seeks.

[peter puck]

@jammer2 Joe Ranger was a Ranger draft pick in the mid 80s played for London,Windsor and Kitchner. The Bolts were and still are very tight lipped about what happened to Paul which makes me think it was something very personal. I'm glad he's found his way as he was a decent player from what I remember.

[jammer2]

@peter puck Ahhh, he is an Ex Windsor Spitfire, no wonder I made that mistake! Agreed, Paul is a decent player, a wonderful skater and has a nice first pass.

[Commander Clueless]

I can't see him getting too much more than Gunnarsson got, would be surprised if his contract is about 3.5 per year. He is more of a powerplay specialist, while Gunnarsson plays tougher minutes and is overall more important to the defense's core.. Don't get me wrong, good 2nd pairing guy but not worth more than Gunnarsson.. so hopefully he settles for a decent salary. My guess is he is asking for 4+ at the moment, which he will probably not get.

I would agree with this. However, points tend to earn dollars and Franson was pretty high on the list of points from a defenseman this past season (if I recall correctly). I could see him asking for a good chunk of change like you mentioned, and probably earning more than Gunnar.

Hopefully Nonis can get him signed to a decent contract as he had a bit of a break out year and I'd hate to see him go just when he's hitting his stride. He's also the only right handed shot on the back end at the moment. I'd hate to see the Leafs' defense get weaker than last year as it already left a something to be desired IMO...a good chunk of something.

Plus I wonder what kind of value they could get in a trade. I suspect it would be underwhelming.

Edited July 29, 2013 by Commander Clueless

[OccamsRazor]

I find this a little odd. FIrst of all, the Leafs have only 2 NHL left defensemen, Phaneuf and Franson.

Fan-hoof is a lefty but Franson is a righty though.

[jammer2]

@OccamsRazor Was just making the point that Franson plays the left side of the ice, even though he shoots right. The Leafs are really short on left d-men, it's not easy for most d-men to switch positons from right to left defense, most guys can't pull it off, they are lost on the opposite side.

[hf101]

Bogosian's 7 year 36M contract probably didn't help for signing Franson to a cap friendly deal.

[OccamsRazor]

Was just making the point that Franson plays the left side of the ice, even though he shoots right. The Leafs are really short on left d-men, it's not easy for most d-men to switch positions from right to left defense, most guys can't pull it off, they are lost on the opposite side

Ok i was just assuming that they would want the right handed shot playing on the right side, not even sure if that in conventional wisdom or just my thinking, i've never played hockey just learned what i have from watching....not that i even know a lot when it comes to hockey. I'm thinking when it comes to receiving a pass and not having to settle the puck before firing instead just one timing if possible.

I guess the better way to put it is it's how i always build my blueline when i play NHL whatever on the PS3.

If i could play i would be a right hand shot.

I build my blueline when i'm GM, i shoot for balance for example i like a LH and RH shot on each pair for balance reason and for the ability to one shot verse having to stop the puck on my back hand then fire it. like i said i don't know if that is the way it should be and i just have it wrong but it's the way i play.

My way of looking at it is different than the Flyers, always having 15 defensemen and they are all LH shots just doesn't make sense.

I thought they are changing that mindset hence that signing of Bruno and Foster both RH shots to go with Schenn another righty.

Balance is good. Alt and Reece are two more RH shots in the system. Anyways...i think in the time i typed this the Eagles lost another player for the season....j/k but really???? talk about bad luck....

Edited July 31, 2013 by OccamsRazor

[jammer2]

@OccamsRazor It does seem odd huh, but right hand shots do play the left side, don't think it happens a lot though. There must be some crazy new stat for that kinda thing....lol.

[jammer2]

Bogosian's 7 year 36M contract probably didn't help for signing Franson to a cap friendly deal.

I think Bogo's agent did a great job on that deal. I'm probably in the minority here, but I think he will earn every penny of that deal. That however, is based on potential, cause he has not put it together enough to actually deserve that kinda cash present day. I just believe in the kid and think he's a wonderful package of skating, toughness and offensive ability.

[OccamsRazor]

@OccamsRazor It does seem odd huh, but right hand shots do play the left side, don't think it happens a lot though. There must be some crazy new stat for that kinda thing....lol.

It is strange yet it is how i always set up my forward lines to example i want all my LWs to be LH shots and my RWs to be RH shots, the only reason being for myself and so that i have options especially in the offensive zone to either accept the pass or fire a one timer, playing the opposite eliminates the choice for the one timer because you're going to receive the pass first on your back hand, so you 'll have to stop it first then fire it.

Like i said just my personal preference.

But it was why i did notice the Flyers blueline sure didn't send a whole lot of slappers from the point and a lot of this had to do with having 75 LH shots back there and no RH shots till this past season and they actually had 3 RH shots although that is all they brought to the lineup...Bruno and Foster that is.

[jammer2]

@OccamsRazor I agree, the one timer is a huge part of the game. Goalies are so quick, you have to surprise them, if they get to set their feet, they usually stop it. It's super awkward to stop a pass then shooot it, gives the goalie way to much time to set up. It's not the best case scenario, but somebody has to play the left side, so quite often right handed d-men have to do it, just because of the left handed shortage most teams have.

[Haliax]

I think Bogo's agent did a great job on that deal. I'm probably in the minority here, but I think he will earn every penny of that deal. That however, is based on potential, cause he has not put it together enough to actually deserve that kinda cash present day. I just believe in the kid and think he's a wonderful package of skating, toughness and offensive ability.

I agree with this. Bogosian is also in a position where the team needs to retain him, where Franson is not. The Leafs can let Franson go without missing him that much.

[OccamsRazor]

It's super awkward to stop a pass then shooot it, gives the goalie way to much time to set up

Yeah it is why i was super impressed at the end of the season with a simple play Gus made in a game it may have been his last score of the season where he faked a slapper then side stepped the defender going down to block it to find a lane then fired it on net for the score for such a young age hell i don't even think i've ever seen Coburn for example do something like that...

...very nice smart move there, actually would love just to see the Dmen take some better wrist shot selections from the point just for the sake if you don't see it it's hard for the goalies to find that in traffic because they are so use to hearing the slapper the in like a second it's up on them where as the wrister if accurate has a better chance of a deflection score

[Commander Clueless]

@OccamsRazor

That is exactly Franson's value to the Leafs - the right handed wrister from the point. Franson's slapshot leaves a lot to be desired but he has a wizard wrister and is the Leafs' only righty, making him quite useful on the powerplay. He's also a decent all around, big defenseman who isn't physical (although he did improve in that area too). However, he's not a core piece on the defense so hopefully they don't overpay too bad - especially with Kadri left to sign.

[OccamsRazor]

@OccamsRazor

That is exactly Franson's value to the Leafs - the right handed wrister from the point. Franson's slapshot leaves a lot to be desired but he has a wizard wrister and is the Leafs' only righty, making him quite useful on the powerplay. He's also a decent all around, big defenseman who isn't physical (although he did improve in that area too). However, he's not a core piece on the defense so hopefully they don't overpay too bad - especially with Kadri left to sign.

Sounds like you're describing Coburn except two things he doesn't even have a wrister and he ain't a right hand shot....

Edited July 31, 2013 by OccamsRazor

[Commander Clueless]

Sounds like you're describing Coburn except two things he doesn't even have a wrister and he ain't a right hand shot....

In a sense, but from what I've seen Coburn is a much better skater. And more proven since this was Franson's first really good season.

[OccamsRazor]

In a sense, but from what I've seen Coburn is a much better skater.

Ok i'll give you that, for a big guy he skates ok....just wish he would play smarter and use his size more but at his age i don't think he ever will....

[jammer2]

@Commander Clueless Coburn does skate better than Franson, but that`s about it. Franson is more physical in his own end, and I really like his wrister and slap shot. They always seem to hit the net and create a nice rebound....something we have not seen from Coburn in.....well, forever. The big draw back to Franson is fast wingers will just blow by him if his momentum is going even slightly the other way. That and he is always lagging behind the play cause he cant muster enough speed through the neutral zone.

[Commander Clueless]

@Commander Clueless Coburn does skate better than Franson, but that`s about it. Franson is more physical in his own end, and I really like his wrister and slap shot. They always seem to hit the net and create a nice rebound....something we have not seen from Coburn in.....well, forever. The big draw back to Franson is fast wingers will just blow by him if his momentum is going even slightly the other way. That and he is always lagging behind the play cause he cant muster enough speed through the neutral zone.

Agreed, although I'd argue that Franson is weaker defensively but again that could be mostly related to his lack of foot speed. He's actually quite good in the defensive zone but the transition back is where he gets caught.

I think this is why he and Gardiner made a pretty effective pairing during the playoffs as on defense Gards can cover him on the speed/transition department while Franson can cover Gardiner in the defensive zone. Make no mistake though, that pairing has to be used primarily for offense because that is where both guys' true skills lie.

I'd be really sad to see Franson go because I'd like to see what the two can do as a second pairing. If it fails, Franson will still be an excellent 2nd/3rd pairing specialist. However, at $4 mil....that's a bit steep especially with Kadri left to sign and not a whole heck of a lot of cap space. As much as I like Liles, I find myself wishing he could be moved. Liles is still a very good puck mover but unfortunately I don't think anyone has any cap space to take him on. He really does need a new home though - he's wasted on the bottom pairing (or pressbox) and is too alike in style to Gardiner to play with him IMO. If anyone does pick him up on the cheap I'm betting they would be very happy with him although his contract is a bit pricey.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Commander Clueless

[jammer2]

@Commander Clueless Agreed, Liles is a respectable d-man, but his skill set is redundant on the Leafs. He seems like he would be the one to go if some cap savings are needed. I read they have 4.1 of cap space left with Franson and Kardri left to sign. I would suspect Kadri would eat up 75-80% of that cap space, so something has to give. If no trade is done, I think they will just walk away from Franson's arbritration award, whatever that may be. They are deep on defense, so Kadri is the obvious choice here.