Cody Franson
What don’t we know about Cody Franson? That’s the question I can’t help asking myself when I look at the statistics this guy puts up and compare them with the fact that he doesn’t have an NHL contract at the moment.
Last year, on the Blackhawks, Franson was released despite out-playing Duncan Keith (a sad shadow of his former self) and Brett Seabrook (he was never that good). He led the Hawks with a 58% possession rating and the lowest shots-against per/60 on the team.
Why would they release him? Stats-nerds across the entire NHL asked and never received an answer.
At 6’5 and only 30 years old, Cody Franson is the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL for reasons that remain a mystery. His massive size comes with the expectation of physical play and he does not provide it. He also looks slow as hell out there.
But by every way we have to measure player performance, Cody Franson is a way above average hockey player.
He consistently scores at about a 30 point pace. He limits shots against. He drives possession. And he’s right handed.
Cody Franson should be a super-star. He should be considered one of the NHL’s better defenseman. He is available, essentially for free and the Toronto Maple Leafs should sign him. Now.
Franson is the easiest add, but the Leafs should be trying to get at least two of the guys on this list. This is the year for them to go for it, and by adding any of these players (Panarin, Karlsson, Niederreiter, Tanev or Franson) they would be strong Stanley Cup Favorites.
stats from naturalstattrick, hockeydb, capfriendly and corsica.hockey