Cody Franson, what to do?

[showtime8]

I wouldn't sign Boychuck or Franson. Don't overpay for the second line/pairing types (Clarkson, Orpik, Niskanen). Teams that do it almost always regret it. If we could get a guy like that for 4M, then I would do it, but otherwise I would look internally (percy, Loov maybe granberg) or look for a trade.

For sure it would be based on the price tag that Boychuk wants and I agree that the Leafs always find themselves in this situation (giving huge money to average/good players).

 

[RLF]

With the cap going up again next year hes going to be asking for 5.5(or more) and 5+ years. I don't think we have any other option than to trade him; I just don't think hes anything more than an average 2nd pairing d-man/PP specialist.

Bolded always gives me a chuckle when people say this like it's a negative(not picking on the poster). What point producing defenceman isn`t a PP specialist? Top point producing d-men get alot of their points on the PP. They all do, not just Franson.
Most teams do their best to acquire a PP quarterback and our fanbase acts like it's a negative for a guy to be good on the PP unless he is also perfect defensively.

Ever notice what normally happens to our win column when the PP dries up? We should be thankful Franson is so good on the PP.

 

[Beleafer4]

What $4M RD would you sign to play top minutes with Dion?

As much as I like our prospects, if we play anyone other than Robidas, Phaneuf, or Franson on the top line it will be a very long season. ( I don't mean because we'll be in the playoffs )
Even Rielly isnt ready for top 3 minutes and he is our best D prospect we have right now

The goal for me isn't playoffs, but rather true contention. So I agree that losing Franson would hurt short term, but long term his impact on this team would be minimal. Ditto Bozak. And I still believe in Gardiner. Sometimes it takes a while until players finally hit their stride (see Franson, Bozak) and when Gardiner is ON, he is an elite talent. Way better than franson, and even better than phaneuf.

 

[Doc300c]

Their GM has changed since acquiring Jordan and I don't think Carolina is happy paying E. Staal that type of money for his current production, especially when they look like a team about to tank. In fact, if I were them I would trade Jordan too and build around Lindholm, skinner, Faulk, this years first (which looks to be either McDavid, Eichel, or Hanifin- all superstar talents) and next years first.

I agree, and if they were smart they would try and move the Staal's for picks in this years draft to increase they amount of prospects they have ready for the rebuild

 

[Doc300c]

The goal for me isn't playoffs, but rather true contention. So I agree that losing Franson would hurt short term, but long term his impact on this team would be minimal. Ditto Bozak. And I still believe in Gardiner. Sometimes it takes a while until players finally hit their stride (see Franson, Bozak) and when Gardiner is ON, he is an elite talent. Way better than franson, and even better than phaneuf.

Depending on the return for Franson I agree.

The way I see it is as follows

#2D/Potential #2D
Phaneuf
Rielly

#3D/Potential #3D
Franson
Gardiner

#5D
Polak

#6D
Robidas

#7D
Holzer

The problem is that Rielly and Gardiner are currently #5's

 

[inthe6ix]

I would trade Bozak and Franson for E. Staal.

Bozak is producing as much as Staal at half the cost and they can either re-sign franson or trade him for at least a 2nd + prospect. This would be similar to the Vanek for Moulson +1st trade which worked out real well for Buffalo

For us, it would set our C depth longterm with Staal, Kadri, Nylander, Santorelli, Holland, Gauthier, Carrick. Truth is, it would hit our defense but luckily that is a position of organizational strength. We could also trade Lupul + for a good RHD like Michalek if our D cant adjust quickly.

You're out of your mind if you think we're going to get Eric Staal for just Bozak and Franson.

Eric has already indicated he wants to stay in CAR (even moreso if they manage to pry Marc (UFA) from the Rags) and with two years at 8.25 AAV left with a NTC, he's going no where.

He's the face of their franchise, and won't be moved unless the cost is insanely high and he wants out.

 

[Beleafer4]

You're out of your mind if you think we're going to get Eric Staal for just Bozak and Franson.

Eric has already indicated he wants to stay in CAR (even moreso if they manage to pry Marc (UFA) from the Rags) and with two years at 8.25 AAV left with a NTC, he's going no where.

He's the face of their franchise, and won't be moved unless the cost is insanely high and he wants out.

I always hear this: "the cost will be insanely high" thing on Hfboards but it never translates to real life. An equivalent producing C at half the price and possibly the best FA in this years class (which they can use to translate into picks and prospects) would be a reasonable move from their perspective.

Whether they decide to trade him or not is their business. But right now they are the second last place team in the league, are losing money and would need more than Marc staal(which is still just a hope) for them to get into contention.

 

[Incetardis]

I'd make it clear to him and his agent what the teams willing to pay (in my mind it can't be much more than 4mil per) and give them till a certain date to accept and then start trying to move him to the highest bidder.

 

[Murphy Blue]

Trade this lump while he's worth something

 

[Kardi]

I always hear this: "the cost will be insanely high" thing on Hfboards but it never translates to real life. An equivalent producing C at half the price and possibly the best FA in this years class (which they can use to translate into picks and prospects) would be a reasonable move from their perspective.

Whether they decide to trade him or not is their business. But right now they are the second last place team in the league, are losing money and would need more than Marc staal(which is still just a hope) for them to get into contention.

Yup, look what Kovalchuk went for when Jersey traded for him.

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

Trade him while his stock is high.

I think we'd be able to get a late 1st.

 

[Durkin67]

Trade him while his stock is high.

I think we'd be able to get a late 1st.

I wouldn't trade him. A high scoring, hard hitting right shot who's 6'5'' who pretty much leads your D in points every season?

I'd look elsewhere to free up cap because that late first isn't going to deliver the same kind of value as Franson will for at least four years, if at all.

 

[I am Canadian]

I would look to trade Gardiner and pay Franson his money.

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

He's going to want well north of 5 million , probably Orpik money and on a long term deal...

Trade him while he still has value!

 

[Durrr]

Still would be looking to trade Franson at the TD and keep Gardiner. When Franson was Gardiner's age he was being scratched more often then Gardiner is now and playing as a 6th D, and we've all seen Gardiner on his game (and its much better then Franson).

He isn't going to be worth the contract he demands, nor do I believe that he can keep this up due to being awful defensively to date.

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

At the end of last season I would have said trade him but his play this season so far has me convinced he'd be very difficult to replace. He looks like a legitimate top pairing D-man.

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=708843&catid=802

Franson and Phaneuf need to play like that every game.

 

[Slot]

Bolded always gives me a chuckle when people say this like it's a negative(not picking on the poster). What point producing defenceman isn`t a PP specialist? Top point producing d-men get alot of their points on the PP. They all do, not just Franson.
Most teams do their best to acquire a PP quarterback and our fanbase acts like it's a negative for a guy to be good on the PP unless he is also perfect defensively.

Ever notice what normally happens to our win column when the PP dries up? We should be thankful Franson is so good on the PP.

To me calling a dman a pp specialist is a polite way of saying not very good on defence. Which isn't a compliment.

 

[Ovate]

At the end of last season I would have said trade him but his play this season so far has me convinced he'd be very difficult to replace. He looks like a legitimate top pairing D-man.

But do you give a guy a $5mil+ (and that's even if he takes a hometown discount), longterm contract based on one season's play? If next season he plays like he has in any other season before this one, that contract will be a liability.

 

[RLF]

To me calling a dman a pp specialist is a polite way of saying not very good on defence. Which isn't a compliment.

I know what they are trying to suggest, but as Franson has shown, he is not as bad defensively as many suggested(not great, but not bad). The point was, a PP specialist is never a bad thing. Where would our PP be without Cody? Do we want to leave the first unit to Jake and Dion?