Kadri and Franson Contract Updates

[Kin]

Franson is a player that may be slightly redundant for the Leafs (Phaneuf, Gardiner, Liles, Reilly) but he has scored at one of the highest rates in the league for a defenseman.  That's a valuable commodity.  If the leafs squander that commodity by getting less back in a trade than they could otherwise due to a cap crunch, they will be taking a step in the wrong direction.  That's what I worry about.

You're right, it's a valuable commodity, but if the argument is that it's valuable but somehow not so valuable as to be highly sought after on the market, which should allay any concerns about the effect of cap issues on what he'd fetch, then it's a reality the team has to deal with. The problem with trading Franson right now isn't, I don't think, that the Leafs are up against it cap wise it's that realistically Franson would have more or less the same problem with negotiating a new deal with any other team. I can't see anyone wanting to commit long term to him without seeing a full season of that kind of offensive production and, failing that, Franson probably wants a one year deal to prove himself before cashing in. So if you're another team, you're likely thinking about any potential trade in terms of the value of one year of Cody Franson.

 

[Jalili]

I'm patient because I don't see Franson as being that important. He'd be nice to have, but I don't think the Leafs season record will be that greatly impacted if he isn't on the team.

In order to make progress towards being a contender, the Leafs need to improve their talent level at key positions and their low-cost depth to fill in for injuries or simply to dominate the back-end of the other teams lineups (like Kadri did last year).

Franson is a player that may be slightly redundant for the Leafs (Phaneuf, Gardiner, Liles, Reilly) but he has scored at one of the highest rates in the league for a defenseman.  That's a valuable commodity.  If the leafs squander that commodity by getting less back in a trade than they could otherwise due to a cap crunch, they will be taking a step in the wrong direction.  That's what I worry about.  If Franson gets traded for a high pick or stellar prospect that can't necessary play this year, I'm fine with it.  I care less about this year than setting ourselves up for the future (though that's going to be hard with the Bozak and Clarkson albatross deals waiting to explode).

I don't think Franson has been made redundant yet. I think if anything, Liles is the one who doesn't really bring much that they don't already have with Gardiner and possibly Rielly.

I feel that Gardiner and Franson actually complement each other real well as an offensive D-men pair.

 

[Kaberle15]

Liles is the one to trade.

Franson is much more valuable to this team.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I can't see anyone wanting to commit long term to him without seeing a full season of that kind of offensive production and,

But it was a full season 

 

[93forever]

I'm patient because I don't see Franson as being that important. He'd be nice to have, but I don't think the Leafs season record will be that greatly impacted if he isn't on the team.

In order to make progress towards being a contender, the Leafs need to improve their talent level at key positions and their low-cost depth to fill in for injuries or simply to dominate the back-end of the other teams lineups (like Kadri did last year).

Franson is a player that may be slightly redundant for the Leafs (Phaneuf, Gardiner, Liles, Reilly) but he has scored at one of the highest rates in the league for a defenseman.  That's a valuable commodity.  If the leafs squander that commodity by getting less back in a trade than they could otherwise due to a cap crunch, they will be taking a step in the wrong direction.  That's what I worry about.  If Franson gets traded for a high pick or stellar prospect that can't necessary play this year, I'm fine with it.  I care less about this year than setting ourselves up for the future (though that's going to be hard with the Bozak and Clarkson albatross deals waiting to explode).

I wouldn't be rushing Reilly into the lineup.  Give him a few games at the beginning to get his feet wet then send him down to gain more experience and leadership at the WJC. 
With Ranger playing decently, it gives Carlyle manoeuverability and options with the lineup and gives Nonis the opportunity to trade either Liles or Franson when the time is right.  Right now do nothing...no need to do anything right now anyway.