Speculation: Sabres offering Cody Franson 2-year deal

[Afino]

even I know Franson's not good



but, we've done worse

 

[Crazy Tasty]

It's funny how Karlsson gets a Norris when he is average defensively. Obviously offensive defenseman are of some sort of value.

Average defensively, is the key phrase.

 

[brian_griffin]

For a 2-year deal, costing only money, is there really anything bad about it other than Franson would preferably be left-handed?

Sabres need another proven NHL body with Gorges status uncertain - agreed?

Who would Franson be keeping on the bench?
Pysyk? Doubtful.
McCabe? Maybe.
Ruhwedel? He's a known quantity.
Injuries will happen, and Weber may be dealt at or before trade deadline.

Franson plays well, great. Franson plays poorly, oh well.

Is there a better FA out there, in particular a LHD, with the potential upside of Franson?

Risk/reward is perfect here. I see no harm for BUF.

 

[Reddawg]

Is there a better FA out there, in particular a LHD, with the potential upside of Franson?

If Franson was a left-handed shot, he would have been our top target in free agency. The only reason we haven't gone after him much harder is the embarrassment of riches we have on the right side (Risto, Bogo, Pysyk).

 

[Djp]

Don't have much issue if its just a 2 yr deal.

I look at him as someone who might be able to play PP time.

Signing him though doesn't stop them from making a LHD trade.

If its 2 yrs--Weber is in his final contract year so Franson could take Weber roster spot then McCabe is up full time.

 

[Husko]

For a 2-year deal, costing only money, is there really anything bad about it other than Franson would preferably be left-handed?

Sabres need another proven NHL body with Gorges status uncertain - agreed?

Who would Franson be keeping on the bench?
Pysyk? Doubtful.
McCabe? Maybe.
Ruhwedel? He's a known quantity.
Injuries will happen, and Weber may be dealt at or before trade deadline.

Franson plays well, great. Franson plays poorly, oh well.

Is there a better FA out there, in particular a LHD, with the potential upside of Franson?

Risk/reward is perfect here. I see no harm for BUF.

Well there was Erhoff, but he just signed a bargain basement deal with LA. Timing of this makes me wonder if we were in on him.

 

[Mit Yarrum]

Sure why not

 

[Jame]

Don't have much issue if its just a 2 yr deal.

I look at him as someone who might be able to play PP time.

Signing him though doesn't stop them from making a LHD trade.

If its 2 yrs--Weber is in his final contract year so Franson could take Weber roster spot then McCabe is up full time.

Yea, a 2 year deal leaves little to really dislike about it. We'll be able to flip him in 18 months at the deadline.

And yes, he'll be an asset on the PP and in ozone in general.

But he's atrocious defensively. He makes Mike Weber look like a top shut down defensemen.

He's one of those rare defensemen that you want to play to the point of an early 2 goal lead, and then send him to the locker room for the rest of the game.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

http://ownthepuck.blogspot.com/2015/02/horizontal-evaluative-ranking-optic.html

Franson's Corsi numbers blow everyone the Sabres have out of the water.

They also don't matter because they come in a bottom pairing, offensively focused role, at the cost of a high goals against rate. Not worth.

And his numbers compare favorably to what Sekera has put up.

Sure, if you don't adjust for usage, which makes zero sense.

 

[Jame]

They also don't matter because they come in a bottom pairing, offensively focused role, at the cost of a high goals against rate. Not worth.


Sure, if you don't adjust for usage, which makes zero sense.

Exactly

 

[Clock]

Harmless, I guess. Get him now and flip him for an asset at the deadline.

 

[Husko]

But really, Franson would be fine if all we're hoping for out of him is to be a 3rd pairing RD that gets offensive zone time and plays the PP. My only concern is who the heck you play with him. The minutes he's getting are also what I'd want Georges to get, but their usage is totally contradictory. Same deal with Weber. Usage and minute wise Donovan makes some sense, but then you have two guys who are defensively irresponsible together. Pysyk might be the ideal guy, if he can play left side, but then you have Georges and Weber both in your top 4, with one of them on the top pairing.

 

[Onslow]

Really not a fan of Franson. At least it'd only be two years, as others have said. Hopefully he doesn't get top 4 minutes...

 

[Dubi Doo]

I think he could play 3rd pairing RD/LD.

Gorges/Cola-Bogo
Cola/Gorges/Weber-Risto
Franson-Pysyk
Weber with Risto if Gorges isn't healed up.

or

Cola/Gorges-Bogo
Pysyk-Risto
Weber/Gorges/Cola-Franson

McCabe/ Ruh number one call ups depending on who's performing better.

At this point, I'll take what ever we can get. Just get another NHL body in the D-core. Franson will give us some depth we desperately need so we're not picking apart Rochester or rushing guys who aren't ready.

 

[Jame]

But really, Franson would be fine if all we're hoping for out of him is to be a 3rd pairing RD that gets offensive zone time and plays the PP. My only concern is who the heck you play with him. The minutes he's getting are also what I'd want Georges to get, but their usage is totally contradictory. Same deal with Weber. Usage and minute wise Donovan makes some sense, but then you have two guys who are defensively irresponsible together. Pysyk might be the ideal guy, if he can play left side, but then you have Georges and Weber both in your top 4, with one of them on the top pairing.

In having the same struggle

How does the backend fit together, not only in pairs but in usage/role

 

[Jame]

Colo-Bogo
Weber-Risto
Gorges-Franson
X Pysyk

 

[Husko]

Colo-Bogo
Weber-Risto
Gorges-Franson
X Pysyk

Can't see Pysyk being scratched unless he really doesn't look good this year. Especially since we're not in win now mentality. I'd say him playing a top 4 role is more likely than him being scratched. Though I'd still prefer him on the 3rd pairing.

Weber/Colo-Bogo: Heavy lifting, all d zone starts
Georges-Risto: Average role, average minutes, average usage
Pysyk-Franson: Lighter minutes, lots of ozone starts

 

[Jame]

Can't see Pysyk being scratched unless he really doesn't look good this year. Especially since we're not in win now mentality. I'd say him playing a top 4 role is more likely than him being scratched. Though I'd still prefer him on the 3rd pairing.

Weber/Colo-Bogo: Heavy lifting, all d zone starts
Georges-Risto: Average role, average minutes, average usage
Pysyk-Franson: Lighter minutes, lots of ozone starts

I think ultimately trying to predict these pairings/usage is futile... this is going to have to be figured out in camp/preseason/early season... outside of Weber-Risto having some solid success/chemistry together, there's really nothing to go off of. And I happen to believe that chemistry/fit is a huge component in d pair success.

I just hope that Bogo and Risto remain our top 4 righties...

 

[DapperCam]

Maybe this is the precursor to a trade involving Pysyk for a top 4 LHD. Then Franson can play on the 3rd pairing and no one has to play on their off wing.

I'd miss Pysyk though.

 

[TehDoak]

Colo-Bogo
Weber-Risto
Gorges-Franson
X Pysyk

Colo is on our top pairing now?

Time to give Calgary a call.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

In having the same struggle

How does the backend fit together, not only in pairs but in usage/role

Pysyk's ability to play the left side, and to a lesser extent Jake McCabe's existence are the X factors.

If a kid can play ES shutdown minutes:

Pysyk-Bogo high QoC / all situations
Coli-Risto high TOI / offensive situations
Gorges-Weber/whoever low TOI / defensive situations / prevent goals at all costs, regardless of possession directive

If not

Coli-Bogo
Pysyk-Risto
Gorges/Weber

Same roles.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Maybe this is the precursor to a trade involving Pysyk for a top 4 LHD. Then Franson can play on the 3rd pairing and no one has to play on their off wing.

I'd miss Pysyk though.

There is nobody available with Pysyk's upside. God, I'd hate that trade.

 

[Jim Bob]

Maybe this is the precursor to a trade involving Pysyk for a top 4 LHD. Then Franson can play on the 3rd pairing and no one has to play on their off wing.

I'd miss Pysyk though.

Or Pysyk or Risto move to the left side...

Risto-Bogo
Weber-Pysyk
Gorges-Franson

 

[Husko]

Pysyk's ability to play the left side, and to a lesser extent Jake McCabe's existence are the X factors.

If a kid can play ES shutdown minutes:

Pysyk-Bogo high QoC / all situations
Coli-Risto high TOI / offensive situations
Gorges-Weber/whoever low TOI / defensive situations / prevent goals at all costs, regardless of possession directive

If not

Coli-Bogo
Pysyk-Risto
Gorges/Weber

Same roles.

You forgot Franson. In the Fronson thread

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Pysyk's ability to play the left side, and to a lesser extent Jake McCabe's existence are the X factors.

If a kid can play ES shutdown minutes:

Pysyk-Bogo high QoC / all situations
Coli-Risto high TOI / offensive situations
Gorges-Weber/whoever low TOI / defensive situations / prevent goals at all costs, regardless of possession directive

If not

Coli-Bogo
Pysyk-Risto
Gorges/Weber

Same roles.

Putting Colaiacovo on the top pairing just about made me throw up in my mouth. He's nothing more than a 7th defensemen on any NHL roster. He's more an emergency AHL call up. Ugh...that's just terrible. Bogo-Ristolainen, Franson-Gorges, Pysyk-Weber would be my closest guess.