if you want to compare numbers, weak cody franson had 6 goals 15 assists and his fellow rookie, number 2 overall pick swedish sensation monster boy victor hedman had 4 goals and 16 assists.
before anyone says anything, I would take hedman, better d-man blah blah blah. just making a point with numbers showing there is more to a guys game than numbers. (however franson did contribute to his team making the playoffs.)
I love this deal. 800k is fairly cheap, and I love what Cody brings. His D zone play is the butt of many jokes, but I think he's much better than people give him credit for. There is more to playing defense than simply hitting people. This can help, but Cody has excellent positioning, which I would argue is more valuable. He has a very good shot and good passing. Speed is something he needs to work on, but I think this was a steal for us. Well done DP
It seems most d-men like low numbers. Especially preds
Hey, maybe he's suddenly developed the ability to skate like Bobby Orr or have a slap shot like Rob Blake. Maybe he'll just put his own spin on the number. Wonder what number Laakso is now wearing?
Great signing. Deal was well worth the wait. Locked up Franson for two years on a very managable and reasonable contract that rewards Franson for his solid numbers last season, but doesn't overpay based on potential. If Franson stays healthy, there is a strong likeihood that he outplays this contract and we look back at it as a steal in a couple years...
FWIW, with Franson switching to #4, Laakso is now wearing #32...
Klein is the weakest blueliner on the roster right if you take into account TOI and who he'll be matched up against, but he also didn't look nearly as bad with the Cube as he did with Hamhuis. Who knows? Maybe he'll be decent-to-good this season.
Nevertheless, good signing. I was thinking we might not be able to get him signed to a contract. I haven't read any of the articles yet because my busy day is just now winding down, but for whatever reason I have a feeling he was being offered a one year, two-way deal at first.
Klein has the potential for a more versatile game at this point. Lets see what he does post-hamhuis, post- being thrown to the wolves last season.
I mean, 800k for Franson....really, there is nothing not to like. He is at the bare minimum a number 6 d-man with loads of offensive potential. This is a no-brainer.
Hey, maybe he's suddenly developed the ability to skate like Bobby Orr or have a slap shot like Rob Blake. Maybe he'll just put his own spin on the number. Wonder what number Laakso is now wearing?
Defensemen traditionally wear low numbers going back to the olden days, when teams were numbered from the goalie (1) out. Defensemen were 2-8, forwards were 9 and up.
Defensemen traditionally wear low numbers going back to the olden days, when teams were numbered from the goalie (1) out. Defensemen were 2-8, forwards were 9 and up.
If Cody is reading the thread I want to say congratulations on the security of a nice 2 year deal! If Poile is reading I want to say, what a great price for the Preds! Franson is worth that.
Wasn't he supposed to prove himself last year? This is why so many are upset, he didnt prove himself and this seems like a huge waste of money.
how is 250K over the minimum a "huge waste of money"?
we were going to have to pay someone to fill that slot, and even the worst player imaginable would have commanded 550K, so I think getting the offensive upside that franson brings is worth an extra 250 over what we would have to pay a cardboard cutout...
Good deal. Even if he never becomes reliable as a top 4 guy it's still a good deal. If he is able to become reliable enough to get more ES time some time over the next two years then this is a huge steal.
Hey, maybe he's suddenly developed the ability to skate like Bobby Orr or have a slap shot like Rob Blake. Maybe he'll just put his own spin on the number. Wonder what number Laakso is now wearing?
And Ryan I think the hold up on Blum isn't about talent it's about his size...
it is tough to say what the hold up is with blum..how many of us have really even seen him play? other than camps...and this year it really seems to me that he has motivation issues at the moment...he seems like he just doesnt care out there. but we will see.
and trigg...im not sure what bouillon has done to you and your family, but you really dislike him dont you? last year i felt safer with him out there than i did with franson or klien. and at times hamhuis. i think bouillon and ward were the biggest pickups we made in the offseason couple years ago and helped this team tremendously, and from their extensions, mgmt agrees.
if mgmt agreed with everyone that franson/blum/josi were so ready, would they have signed bouillon thru 2011-2012. maybe, but i dont think so.
sorry, i guess i just dont see him as being a good 6-7 dman. i would have him as a 4-5 guy, and on this team last year, he was as high as 3rd at times imo. and to expect rookies to move him to a 6-7 position, while likely i guess, is highly unlikely imo
good job by poile. i think franson can be good, even if it is to just help PP. but if his speed doesnt get better, i dont ever see him as a top pairing guy. he will get 12-14 minutes with a lot being pp wich is fine. just dont pair him with sullivan on PP point. atrociuous
I would prefer a combination of this: Weber-Suter, and Franson-Kostisyn.
Why? SK is a playmaker and he could play the role of Suter on the backline.
Still, and forgive my ignorance possibly, but has he ever manned the point on the PP before? Did he ever do it in MTL? I do agree with keeping Franson and Weber separate. Keep the two big right handed shots on different PP's. Having them on at the same time would neglect one of their shots (Likely Franson) because he would have to play RD. Theoretically if he could do it Kostisyn would be nice on the point on the PP as it gives both the PP's a right and left handed shooter.
Basically though I just don't want to see Boullion on the PP anymore.
Still, and forgive my ignorance possibly, but has he ever manned the point on the PP before? Did he ever do it in MTL? I do agree with keeping Franson and Weber separate. Keep the two big right handed shots on different PP's. Having them on at the same time would neglect one of their shots (Likely Franson) because he would have to play RD. Theoretically if he could do it Kostisyn would be nice on the point on the PP as it gives both the PP's a right and left handed shooter.
Basically though I just don't want to see Boullion on the PP anymore.
Going by quotes from HFers from Montreal who watched SK in juniors and SK played on the backline by himself while the team played with 4 up forwards. SK would feed the forwards. The common word I hear about SK is 'playmaker'. Dobberhockey said SK could be Hornqvist's ying to his yang.
I would prefer a combination of this: Weber-Suter, and Franson-Kostisyn.
Why? SK is a playmaker and he could play the role of Suter on the backline.
That may well work as I'm not all that familiar with SK's defense, but when you write that I see the times we've tried Sully back there.... and with Franson's foot-speed - or lack thereof - that idea of him paired with a F scares me to death.
I would like to see Weber and Franson on the first PP unit.
As tempting as that is, it really would be better with them split up. They have arguably the two best shots of any D men on our team, and we need one of them out there at all times. The obvious choice is to put Weber and Suter together, but i kinda like the idea of one of them on each.
Weber- SK
Suter- Franson
SK can just feed Weber all day. Plus any defensive liability Kostitsyn brings can be compensated by Webs. Suter will feed Franson, as well as covering his lack of speed.
agreed trigg, and I think SK's playmaking ability would benefit more down low around the net. Why waste his talent by having him feed weber all day when that's the one play every team is targeting against us? I'd rather keep SK up front and have two options on the PP
