Count me on the side that would be very disappointed if Calgary signs Franson and trades Wideman.
Wideman really stepped up when Giordano went down and did great playing those tough minutes. Does anyone think that Franson could do it? Franson was a healthy scratch in Nashville. It really reeks of Toronto's over-glorification of mediocre players.
Wideman had more points, played much tougher minutes, more goals, and wears an A on his jersey. I can understand asset management, and how sometimes there are simply very good players becoming casualties. However, in no way can I see Calgary signing Franson on the cheap and for a short-term contract and jettisoning Wideman because of it. Franson turned down big money already (though I am sure he is regretting it already) and I doubt he wants a short term contract. Would rather keep a guy who has done VERY WELL (and remember, the season before last he did well too until his injury when he stepped up in another Giordano injury and for a while was the NHL league leader in TOI).
I am confident Wideman will still be a strong contributor until the end of his contract, and by then, I hope that a few of the kids are starting to put the squeeze on him (Wotherspoon, Morrison, Culkin, Kulak, etc).
Wideman may not be perfect, but he is a much better player right now than Franson, and only has a couple of years left on his contract. Would be a huge mistake (IMO) to trade him and think that Franson (who wouldn't come much cheaper, and who would want a lengthy contract) could replace him. Sure, if Franson will sign a very short term (2 years or less) and be a cheaper cap hit (and seeing how he is not signed yet, maybe - but apparently he was supposed to sign in Boston) then I would try him out. I just don't see a player that is anywhere close to replacing Wideman in any way.
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