Franson, Kadri, Gardiner, Reimer ... still Leafs at the deadline?

[CarltonTheBear]

At even-strength Franson ranks 116th among defencemen in scoring. On the powerplay he's 10th (tied with Pietrangelo and Markov for the last 3 spots in the top-10). That's while receiving the 19th most amount of powerplay time. So his PP production looks pretty good. It's his EV points that are terrible. But the whole team aside from Kessel is struggling in that regard so I'm not really sure I would want to make any long-term decisions off that. Especially since Franson's been a pretty good even-strength point producer in the past.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

At even-strength Franson ranks 116th among defencemen in scoring. On the powerplay he's 10th (tied with Pietrangelo and Markov for the last 3 spots in the top-10). That's while receiving the 19th most amount of powerplay time. So his PP production looks pretty good. It's his EV points that are terrible. But the whole team aside from Kessel is struggling in that regard so I'm not really sure I would want to make any long-term decisions off that. Especially since Franson's been a pretty good even-strength point producer in the past.

Regardless, it's pretty tough to sell a #5 dman with a bit of offensive ability as being worth Nail Yakupov.

 

[Brian Glennie]

I'm sorry but if he was available for franson then that trade would have happened already.

And franson is 32nd in the league in scoring amongst defenceman, this is impressive why?

200+ defensemen in the league and he's near the top. That seems fairly impressive.

That's a little misleading though as probably 1/3 of the defensemen in the league receive nothing in the way of PP time and probably the same amount are exclusively defensive players.

A minor point, but I don't think that's misleading. They don't receive PP time because they don't have Franson's offensive abilities.

No kidding. Nik, did one one of your staff post this while you were out getting a sandwich or something?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Regardless, it's pretty tough to sell a #5 dman with a bit of offensive ability as being worth Nail Yakupov.

I forgot that's what started this. Yeah there's no way Edmonton would take Franson for Yakupov. But I do disagree with the #5 comment. I think Franson is a 2nd pairing guy.

 

[bustaheims]

But I do disagree with the #5 comment. I think Franson is a 2nd pairing guy.

I really don't. When he was really successful last season, he was a 3rd pairing guy that received a lot of PP time. This season, his skating and defence have really been exposed, and they are areas where he's really not good enough to receive 2nd pairing type ES minutes.

 

[L K]

Regardless, it's pretty tough to sell a #5 dman with a bit of offensive ability as being worth Nail Yakupov.

I forgot that's what started this. Yeah there's no way Edmonton would take Franson for Yakupov. But I do disagree with the #5 comment. I think Franson is a 2nd pairing guy.

Franson for Yakupov...no.  But Franson + other stuff, maybe.  Yakupov is in a bad situation in Edmonton at this point. 

 

[Jalili]

Yeah I think Franson is a pretty good 3rd pairing PP specialist. That's where you'd want him, and that's how he was viewed by the Nashville Preds as well.

 

[freer]

Yeah I think Franson is a pretty good 3rd pairing PP specialist. That's where you'd want him, and that's how he was viewed by the Nashville Preds as well.

And Nas is great right now. the team as a total is -29. Agreed that he has not been very good 5 on 5.

 

[93forever]

Yeah I think Franson is a pretty good 3rd pairing PP specialist. That's where you'd want him, and that's how he was viewed by the Nashville Preds as well.

And Nas is great right now. the team as a total is -29. Agreed that he has not been very good 5 on 5.

There have been some defensive meltdowns when Franson is paired with Gardiner, but I also believe the team's defensive play will improve when Bolland returns.

 

[2badknees]

I'm not even a fan of franson playing the PP at this point.

I've seen him get burned too many times losing the puck up high and surrendering a shorthanded chance the other way.

Its not like he's got a cannon of a shot, or is a particularly good quarterback...  I think Carlyle realizes Gardiner has surpassed him, and I'd be interested to see a Reilly/Ranger (if he ever draws back in) second pairing, as Reilly shows a good ability to pinch and recover, and Ranger can absolutely blast the puck.

 

[Jalili]

Yeah I think Franson is a pretty good 3rd pairing PP specialist. That's where you'd want him, and that's how he was viewed by the Nashville Preds as well.

And Nas is great right now. the team as a total is -29. Agreed that he has not been very good 5 on 5.

Nas is better than great.

 

[2badknees]

And I'm sure opinions will vary, but I wouldn't want any part of Yakupov trade, especially for what it would likely take.

I expect the only other player Edmonton would realistically move would be gagner. I'd love to see RNH in a leaf jersey though.

 

[slapshot]

I think it would be a mistake to move Naz...unless it was a deal you couldn't refuse. And, who is going to make that kind of offer? Sure teams are showing interest, why wouldn't they? They think they can cherry pick if the Leafs get discouraged by his results thus far. It's like the stock market, buy low mentality. But Nonis is no fool.

What I can see is the Leafs shopping for an upgrade on the wing (second line) or an upgrade on defence. Bolland coming back and Holland's progress has created some depth upfront. Some trade possibilities might be...

Kulemin or Raymond and a 2 or 3rd round pick for a forward upgrade.

Kulemin or Raymond and Gunnerson or Franson for a defence upgrade.

It's a matter of finding what quality player is out there of the right age that might be available because of contract or otherwise. When you look at the Seguin and Ryan deals last year, you realize what might be possible.

 

[2badknees]

Considering Raymond was on a tryout to start the season and has tailed off pretty badly. I don't see him bringing back more than a 3rd rounder if shopped.

And I would hate the idea of Gunnarsson being moved, unless it was a blockbuster. He's the most solid defender on the team, and the most underrated. He covers Phaneuf's mistakes on a game by game basis.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He covers Phaneuf's mistakes on a game by game basis.

He makes just as many gaffes as Phaneuf, but because his name isn't Phaneuf he isn't called out for it.  It's the same for a number of players.

 

[Bullfrog]

Subban made a number of similar turnovers and not a word was said by anyone. It's going to happen to players who have the puck that much.

But having someone like Gunnarsson allows Phaneuf to take more chances and consequently there will be more mistakes.

I'd actually like to see Phaneuf jump into the play more. He's effective when he takes the puck in deep.

 

[nutman]

Subban made a number of similar turnovers and not a word was said by anyone. It's going to happen to players who have the puck that much.

But having someone like Gunnarsson allows Phaneuf to take more chances and consequently there will be more mistakes.

I'd actually like to see Phaneuf jump into the play more. He's effective when he takes the puck in deep.

Agreed because he cant hold the line worth a crap.

 

[Kin]

Subban made a number of similar turnovers and not a word was said by anyone. It's going to happen to players who have the puck that much.

The difference with a guy like Subban, or most traditional offensive defensemen, is that when they make those kinds of mistakes they have the wheels to cover for it themselves in a lot of cases or at least to create difficulty on the backcheck. If Phaneuf lets a quicker player get a step on him he doesn't have the recovery of someone like Subban and those mistakes are more likely to turn into chances.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Subban made a number of similar turnovers and not a word was said by anyone. It's going to happen to players who have the puck that much.

But having someone like Gunnarsson allows Phaneuf to take more chances and consequently there will be more mistakes.

I'd actually like to see Phaneuf jump into the play more. He's effective when he takes the puck in deep.

Much as Bozak has been miscast as a #1 C, and McClement was miscast for awhile as a 20:00/night player, Phaneuf is miscast as a defensive defenseman.  Neutralizes a lot of his best assets in favour of him playing tough defensive minutes.  It wouldn't be so bad, and Gunnarsson is a good defenseman, but Phaneuf also has to be the physical presence on that pairing.

 

[moon111]

Cody Franson hasn't be a '+'-player since Dec. 29 2013.  CAR @ TOR.