[Rumour] Cody Franson on a plane to Calgary

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

...I 100% agree with your statement that Wideman played great and makes our d-core better. That is not the same as saying he is a steal for his salary. If there were no salary cap or budget constraints, then maybe it would not matter.

I also would not classify Wideman's salary a "steal," even for his impressive work last season. But I would say that his cap-hit was easily right in line with his play. Obviously, Wideman has priced himself out of the market in Calgary, and if he comes close to how well he played in 2014–15, then his next contract is likely to be higher than $5.5 m. He is a top four defenseman, and like it or not, that is what top-four defensemen make in today's NHL. Calgary happens to have five of them, and will likely need to move one.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Locke

I don't know about the rest of you but I feel inclined to know Franson's whereabouts at all times!

Sarcasm, I hope?

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by heep223

Wasn't he #5 in the league in d-man scoring? He led the Flames down the stretch to their first playoff birth in 5 years after their captain and best d-man went down. And was a point per game player over the last 25 games or so, averaging almost 30 mins per night while doing so. Then he led them to a series victory over their arch rivals.

And you don't think he's worth his contract? I do not concur. Not one bit.

Yes, Wideman was the obstetrician who delivered that playoff BIRTH!

[PepsiFree]

Cody Franson looked decent as a #2 bad on a Leafs defence where Dion was their #1 (a #3/#4 on any defensively solid team). When moved to Nashville (a defensively solid team) he fell off completely and found himself on the bench some nights.

If Franson signed he might be at best our #6 behind Gio, Brodie, Hamilton, Russell, and Wideman. He does not replace Wideman unless (as the poster above me said) Wideman has priced himself out of our market. Even then you can't count on him ever being as good as Wideman. He wouldn't be an upgrade on anyone.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Wideman had a good year and was extremely useful to the team. But I can't quite get to "steal". Worth his contract? I can't quite get there either. Highest paid player on the team last year and in the top 30 of dmen salaries going into this year.

Wideman was a top 10 dman in points over the previous 4-5 years before we got him. I think TSN said 7th most points

First we got him was the only year he didn't produce

4th highest dman in points last year for a dman who makes only 5.25 million. That is a steal

He was also a plus player last year

His contract is a steal at this point and he has been worth it for the first 3 years.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Cody Franson looked decent as a #2 bad on a Leafs defence where Dion was their #1 (a #3/#4 on any defensively solid team). When moved to Nashville (a defensively solid team) he fell off completely and found himself on the bench some nights.

If Franson signed he might be at best our #6 behind Gio, Brodie, Hamilton, Russell, and Wideman. He does not replace Wideman unless (as the poster above me said) Wideman has priced himself out of our market. Even then you can't count on him ever being as good as Wideman. He wouldn't be an upgrade on anyone.

I know he used to play for Nashville but moving teams mid season isn't always easy and most players fail in this situation and few succeed. Good time to buy on him as he is a quality replacement for Wideman no questions

Wideman all of a sudden is getting overrated after one big year. He too played much better when he had less in front of him. Plus I don't think anyone is suggesting Franson in for same money as Wideman. I'm suggesting at less money in a higher cap is a much cheaper just as good option

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Wideman was a top 10 dman in points over the previous 4-5 years before we got him. I think TSN said 7th most points

First we got him was the only year he didn't produce

4th highest dman in points last year for a dman who makes only 5.25 million. That is a steal

He was also a plus player last year

His contract is a steal at this point and he has been worth it for the first 3 years.

I guess we have different definitions of "steal". I sincerely hope other GM's share your view of his contract.

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, I think Wideman turned out to be a very good signing for the Flames but I don't think there is any way he can be called a 'steal'.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yeah, I think Wideman turned out to be a very good signing for the Flames but I don't think there is any way he can be called a 'steal'.

Agreed. The contract looked highly suspect at the time and it has been a pleasant surprise that Wideman has lived up to his big dollars so far (minus the injury plagued 2014 season). His minutes and role are likely to decrease with Hamiltons arrival though so it will be interesting to see how the next 2 years unfold for Wideman. I know he said the way Gio prepares for games/season has caused Wideman to alter the way he prepares which is positive going forward

[StrykerSteve]

I can confirm that I did not see Franson at the airport this morning.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I can confirm that I did not see Franson at the airport this morning.

Did you check all the washrooms?

[thymebalm]

What is the consensus on the forum, do people want Franson on the backend?

I think he'd be great. His footspeed gives me caution, but he seems to be on the right end of the play a lot.

Does he rank above or below our other slow offensive D in Wideman?

[Fire in the disco]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

What is the consensus on the forum, do people want Franson on the backend?

I think he'd be great. His footspeed gives me caution, but he seems to be on the right end of the play a lot.

Does he rank above or below our other slow offensive D in Wideman?

Don't see the need for Franson. Put me in the camp that thinks at worst Wideman played to his contract value. IMO he is a top 3 dman and a dam good one. Franson is overrated and not as good overall as Widedog

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Wideman is probably the better player right now, and only has 2 years remaining on his contract.

Franson is a small step back, and will likely make pretty much the same money, but for a much longer term.

Either way, we're paying about $5m for an offensive defenceman for the next 2 seasons. On the one hand we have a better and more experienced guy who will likely be finished at the end of 2 years, and on the other hand we have a younger and not as good player who will still be under contract in 2 years.

I don't think one option is drastically better than the other.

I would be very open to seeing the Flames make the necessary moves to sign Franson to a reasonable deal, keep both him and Wideman for this season, and try to move Wideman at the draft next year in advance of the big salary crunch.

[Jay Random]

With Giordano, Brodie, Hamilton, Wideman, and Russell already on the roster, Franson would pretty much be stuck as a third-pairing defenceman this season. Not worth paying big money for. I'd rather roll with what we've got and see which of the prospects can step up to take the #6 job away from Engelland.

Nothing against Franson as a player, just a matter of numbers and cap space.

[Yrebmi]

I can certainly see the attraction to acquiring Franson then flipping Wideman.
In Franson we get 5" bigger and just over 4 years younger.
In Wideman we have better points with a better percentage being the of the goal variety.
Defensively both are a wash.

Depending on Franson contract and Wideman trade return, there's a lot to like.
I'll trust Treliving and the Flames brass.

[thymebalm]

Nice to be dealing from a position of strength. We -needed- Wideman so he got a blank cheque. We are much deeper in the position now so we can offer something that works for us and see if he bites. I don't think he's getting north of 4M or he'd have a contract already, maybe I'm way off base.

[Strange Brew]

I think I'm a no on Franson. We would have to trade a defender and presumably any interested team would just prefer signing Franson.

I am all for a good bargain. But so is every other team. If he has a natural inclination (family etc.) to play here maybe it could work to where he is such a bargain you can move another defender for a mediocre return.

[cannon7]

I don't understand the logic behind swapping Wideman for Fransson. I don't think that makes our D significantly better. Swapping Engelland (via trade) for Fransson on the other hand would be a big improvement, especially considering Brodie may be looking for a new D partner next season if Hamilton steps into the top pairing. Would rather put Engelland's $2.9M towards what it'll take to sign Fransson. You can roll a top six with Fransson in it, whereas with Engelland you're juggling him a bit to not get exposed.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I don't understand the logic behind swapping Wideman for Fransson. I don't think that makes our D significantly better. Swapping Engelland (via trade) for Fransson on the other hand would be a big improvement, especially considering Brodie may be looking for a new D partner next season if Hamilton steps into the top pairing. Would rather put Engelland's $2.9M towards what it'll take to sign Fransson. You can roll a top six with Fransson in it, whereas with Engelland you're juggling him a bit to not get exposed.

It definitely doesn't make the D better.

However, it would replace an older player with a younger player, one who - it is hoped - could eventually be as good.

It would allow for trading Wideman, which would obviously return assets.

And it would save a bit of cap space (presumably).

I am not a proponent of it, personally. But there are reasons why it could make sense.