Cody Franson or Michael Del Zotto

[LeafSteel]

With Franson now re-upping for 1 year at $3.3 million, would Leafer's prefer Franson at his current term, or MDZ, if he could be signed for $1.8-$2m?

I realize Franson is a righty and MDZ is a lefty. Who would fit into the Leafs long-term plans, and have the most to offer?

BB

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[Raging Bull]

Neither fit into the teams long term plans, but if we're arguing one over the other it's Franson.

 

[Einzakin]

Zotto at 2 without a doubt

 

[Paris in Flames]

If Franson can regain his form from the lockout season (albeit, it may be hard since the entire team seemed to click) then he's easily better than MDZ and easily worth 3.3 million.

Here's hoping he can bounce back.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Welp .. Considering the Leafs hold Franson's rights, letting him walk for nothing just to resign a player who may be marginally better seems like poor asset management

At least the Leafs can still trade Franson for a future asset

 

[Metaluna]

Franson will probably be gone by trade deadline. One year contracts are scary

 

[topched]

One produces offense and can't play D, the other used to produce offense and can't play D

I'll take Franson at 3.3 over MDZ at any price, and I don't like Franson

 

[Swervin81]

Upside-wise, MDZ > Franson. MDZ can actually skate.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Upside-wise, MDZ > Franson. MDZ can actually skate.

Franson is better defensively and offensively. Not to mention he's much more physical.

 

[BonMorrison]

Del Zotto may be a better skater but he is inferior defensively and offensively to Franson. And if you're worse than Franson defensively, you're pretty damn bad.

 

[Banic]

Saying "if franson regains form" should be compared to "if MDZ regains form" the guy with 41 points and plus 20. He's also 3 years younger and by that metric half the price. Not even close.

 

[Leafidelity]

Neither defenseman makes the Maple Leafs a better team.

 

[Pyrophorus]

I'll take a RHD, who produces points, who is actually wanted by NHL teams.

Hopefully with a full training camp, he can rebound.
I don't like his contract negotiations, and I'll think he'll walk next July.

Boyhood teams mean nothing anymore...ask Bolland.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Franson is better defensively and offensively. Not to mention he's much more physical.

#2 in hits.
I'd like to see that decrease in exchange for possession.

There is a reason why MDZ is not signed.

 

[Swervin81]

#2 in hits.
I'd like to see that decrease in exchange for possession.

There is a reason why MDZ is not signed.

Real time stats are crap due to arena bias.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

People actually said Del Zotto? Yikes.

 

[EastVan]

I think this is a redundant question. We've already chosen Franson.

 

[JackJ]

Rather take my chances with Del Zotto. Give MDZ a camp invite and let the two dual it out.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Trade Franson for other assets like picks and signing Del Zotto is without a doubt the best solution.

Leafs simply need to get a deeper pool of assets and losing Franson as a UFA after next season would be as terrible as losing Grabo, Kulemin, Raymond, CMac so we could instead lose them for nothing in years where we weren't competing anywhere near a contender.

We also shouldn't be signing Franson to a big long term silly UFA type deal because he really isn't what the Leafs need as a long term fix with Phaneuf, Rielly, Gardiner being very well set for good offensive Dmen who can eat up a lot PP time.

 

[HEAVY DUTY]

MDZ. without a doubt.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

MDZ. without a doubt.

He made Cody Franson look like Rob Blake last year. Dude's game is miles away from where it was in 11/12.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Would you kindly care to elaborate on this, or does this constitute all you have to offer the discussion?

BB

If I had to guess, I would imagine that the issue he has is that you are assuming that MDZ can be signed for $1.8-$2M.

Comparing a player signed to a fair-market value contract to a UFA and presenting value that may or may not be FMV isn't a fair comparison.

It could well be that the reason MDZ is un-signed is due to his agent holding out for more money/term and also limiting the market to specific teams.

I think it quite probable that if MDZ can be signed at $1.8M he'd be signed already.

UFA negotiations are atwo-way street, and MDZ has time to consider his options.

He can also, very likely, get good money in the KHL, and is probably weighing that against whatever offers he is entertaining/waiting for in the NHL.

In terms of player for player comparison, irrespective of the contracts, Franson has 322GP 28G 105A 133PTS for 0.41 points/game.

Del Zotto has 317GP 27G 99A 126PTS for a career 0.39 points/game.

Franson is a career +/- of +8, whereas Del Zotto is a career +/- of -8.

Del Zotto also has had the benefit of playing with Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne, whereas Franson, although also playing with Pekka Rinne, has had to deal with Reimer, Gustavsson, Giguere, Scrivens and finally Bernier. Granted Reimer and Bernier have put solid numbers for goaltenders, but not quite Lundqvist numbers.

So I think the +/- stats support the statement that other posters are making about MDZ being worse defensively.

When you compare hits, Franson blows it out of the park, although during MDZ's "better years" he was comparable, notching 162 in 09-10 and 156 in 11-12.

Del Zotto has had to deal with on-going injuries, and that's probably lead to the noticeable decline in hits. Also coaching differences between Torts and AV may factor in as well.

Overall though, the stats suggest that Franson is markedly better, as likely supported by OP based on the assumption that MDZ should be signed for a smaller deal anyways.

So really, the question posed by OP could be re-worded to ask if MDZ is better than Franson if it gives us $1.5M more in cap space.

My answer to that is still a no, because we're talking about 1 year deals and I don't see a way for the Leafs to spend that money productively, as we basically just have Jake Gardiner remaining unsigned to complete the roster.

 

[Teeder9]

How anyone can actually want Del Zotto is beyond me. AHL contract? Sure. But his defense has always been suspect all the way back to the OHL and it's gotten worse. His offense is terrible now as well. He's not an NHL player. If there was a thread that could possibly allow Franson to achieve Norris votes on this forum, it's this one.

 

[Teeder9]

If I had to guess, I would imagine that the issue he has is that you are assuming that MDZ can be signed for $1.8-$2M.

Comparing a player signed to a fair-market value contract to a UFA and presenting value that may or may not be FMV isn't a fair comparison.

It could well be that the reason MDZ is un-signed is due to his agent holding out for more money/term and also limiting the market to specific teams.

I think it quite probable that is MDZ can be signed at $1.8M he'd be signed already.

UFA negotiations are atwo-way street, and MDZ has time to consider his options.

He can also, very likely, get good money in the KHL, and is probably weighing that against whatever offers he is entertaining/waiting for in the NHL.

In terms of player for player comparison, irrespective of the contracts, Franson has 322GP 28G 105A 133PTS for 0.41 points/game.

Del Zotto has 317GP 27G 99A 126PTS for a career 0.39 points/game.

Franson is a career +/- of +8, whereas Del Zotto is a career +/- of -8.

Del Zotto also has had the benefit of playing with Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne, whereas Franson, although also playing with Pekka Rinne, has had to deal with Reimer, Gustavsson, Giguere, Scrivens and finally Bernier. Granted Reimer and Bernier have put solid numbers for goaltenders, but not quite Lundqvist numbers.

So I think the +/- stats support the statement that other posters are making about MDZ being worse defensively.

When you compare hits, Franson blows it out of the park, although during MDZ's "better years" he was comparable, notching 162 in 09-10 and 156 in 11-12.

Del Zotto has had to deal with on-going injuries, and that's probably lead to the noticeable decline in hits. Also coaching differences between Torts and AV may factor in as well.

Overall though, the stats suggest that Franson is markedly better, as likely supported by OP based on the assumption that MDZ should be signed for a smaller deal anyways.

So really, the question posed by OP could be re-worded to ask if MDZ is better than Franson if it gives us $1.5M more in cap space.

My answer to that is still a no, because we're talking about 1 year deals and I don't see a way for the Leafs to spend that money productively, as we basically just have Jake Gardiner remaining unsigned to complete the roster.

At this point, Del Zotto could be signed to a 750k contract and he'd jump for joy. Agents of players who were chased out of one city and waived out of another don't hold out for more money.

 

[getyourselfsomerest]

At this point, Del Zotto could be signed to a 750k contract and he'd jump for joy. Agents of players who were chased out of one city and waived out of another don't hold out for more money.

What about players who were throw ins in a trade for Brett Lebda? What about players who are the worst defensemen defensively on the worst defensive team.

If the Leafs are so concerned about offense on the back end, just trade Franson for a 2nd or a prospect and sign MDZ, who fits perfectly on the 3rd pairing with Polak while being cheaper.