Toronto Maple Leafs: How They Mishandled the Cody Franson Situation

Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) shoots the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

July 3 2011, just two days after signing Tim Connolly, Philippe Dupuis and Spencer Abbott in free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs made another trade. The Nashville Predators sent Matthew Lombardi to Toronto, in order to gain some salary cap relief. The Leafs sent Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney in return, in what was supposed to be a meaningless trade. However, the other player coming back to the Leafs in the deal was Cody Franson, a 23-year-old defenceman who at the time coming off his first full year in the NHL.

More from Tip of the Tower

Franson’s first season with Toronto was a bumpy one, playing only 57 games but putting up 21 points, which over a full season would have been an improvement on the 29 points in 80 games he had with Nashville. When he was looking for a new deal, Franson was getting no where. With the end of the lockout and hardly any leverage to get a pay raise, Franson had to settle for a one year, $1.2 million contract for the 2012-13 season. The following season, in 45 games, he had 29 points, which was an improvement on the 21 points in 57 games. He was also vital in the series against the Boston Bruins, scoring six points in seven games (minus the collapse at the end).

Dec 23, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing David Clarkson (71) during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Maple Leafs shut out the Stars 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

When it came to negotiating a new deal, the Leafs and Franson were still not on the same page. While the 27-year old could have gone to arbitration because he was a restricted free agent, he knew he would not have a solid argument based on his limited success. The Leafs were in a cap crunch after re-signing Tyler Bozak to an extension and bringing in David Clarkson to the contract that keeps on giving. Franson had a sub par year in 2013-14 with 33 points and a -20 in 79 games, averaging 20:42 minutes a night.

Nov 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs and Franson then avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $3.3 million dollar contract. Beforehand, both the player and the team had to submit what they wanted in a new contract. Apparently Franson was looking for $4.2 million while the Leafs were offering $2 million, in an article posted by the Toronto Star. Those figures are usually just starting points for negotiation, especially when both parties try to look for middle ground. What was more interesting was that Toronto were close to trading Franson before they agreed on a new deal.

Cody Franson was TOR player going to MTL for Gorges. Would have think he's still in play with TOR acquisition of Polak and Robidas.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2014

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis announces William Nylander (not pictured) as the number eight overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Luckily for the Leafs Josh Gorges refused to waive his no trade clause, because if the trade did go through they would have made another regrettable move, much like trading Tuukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft, Alex Steen for Lee Stempniak and two first round picks for Phil Kessel (that one was not the worst trade, but not the best either). This could have been a mess for the Leafs and Brendan Shanahan and more importantly Dave Nonis. Their inability to manage the cap and assess player values has hurt this team over the past decade. Put it this way – when the Leafs have a good thing going for them it always seems to fall apart.

Nov 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) celebrates with center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) after an assist against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

When it was reported that Franson rejected a contract offer from the Leafs it became a statement to how they have mishandled Franson’s situation. In the end it could cost the Leafs a player that could be a vital component to rebuilding this team. Dion Phaneuf‘s future with the team is bleak and if he is traded, that leaves only Roman Polak, Stephane Robidas, Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner signed past this season.

Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Petter Granberg (8) and forward Nazem Kadri (43) celebrate his goal during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Granted they have players like Petter Granberg, and Stuart Percy who can play as a third pairing next season, but there are not any suitable replacements for Franson and Phaneuf on the top pairing. Franson’s contract situation is not just a matter of salary cap management. It comes down to making the best hockey decision possible, because the Leafs have not made many in the past few years.

Mar 4, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski (84) carries the puck past New Jersey Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador (24) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New Jersey 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the main components from the new CBA agreement with the NHL and the NHLPA was that every team got two compliance buyouts that they could use on contracts signed before the new deal was agreed upon. The Leafs used their buyouts on Mikhail Grabovski and Mike Komisarek which was expected, but only one of them was the right decision. Grabovski was not worth the contract he re-signed for. management was worried about losing him for nothing, so they signed him to a deal that carried a $5.5 million cap hit.

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles (24) skates with the puck during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The mistake was using their second buyout on Komisarek, who had one year left with a cap hit of $4.5 million, rather then use it on John-Michael Liles. Liles had re-signed a four year, $15.5 million dollar contract extension midway through the 2011-12 season. When the Leafs brought in Randy Carlyle during the 2012-13 season, Liles was starting to fall out of favour, especially in the playoffs where he was not a major factor. So instead of buying out Liles, who had three years left at $3,875,000 million (only $625,000 less than Komisarek), they traded him to Carolina for Tim Gleason, who the Leafs bought out last summer to save cap space.

This is the structure of the Leafs buyout for Gleason:

[table id=30 /]

Oct 17, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) is checked into the glass by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

So instead of putting Komisarek with the Toronto Marlies for one season and take a 3,575,000 Leafs cap hit, the Leafs have to live with Gleason’s cap hit counting against their payroll for the next four seasons (including the current campaign). We all know what Clarkson’s contract has done to the Leafs cap problems. For $5.25 million per season, I would rather have Franson over Clarkson (which is probably Franson’s argument as well). Elliotte Friedman’s report on Franson’s contract offer is leading to the inevitable conclusion that the defenceman will most likely be moved when the trade deadline comes around. There is still a chance that Franson could stay if Phaneuf is traded, but if that happens the contract negotiations will be tough for the Leafs.

May 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) celebrates his goal in the first period against the Boston Bruins during game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The only way the Leafs can trade their captain is if they get Franson signed to a new deal. The Leafs would prefer a three or four-year deal, but Franson may want at least five or six years. If that is the case, the Leafs need Franson to take a hometown discount. However, the Sicamous, BC native has various contracts he can make comparisons with as leverage in any new deal. Gardiner got a new deal at four years, with a $4.05 million cap hit, Matt Niskanen‘s contract with the Washington Capitals has a $5.75 million cap hit. Mark Streit‘s contract with the Philadelphia Flyers has a $5.25 million cap hit, along with Andrew MacDonald‘s five million dollar cap hit. Franson will easily get $5 million per season in a new deal, because of his increased role with the Leafs and his ability to produce on the powerplay.

Jan 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) celebrates his goal with center Nazem Kadri (43) against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The issue is that the Leafs would like to sign Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri to new deals, while adding cheap free agents to fill out the roster. The salary cap will not rise too much next season, because of the Canadian dollar not doing well. So unless the Leafs trade some players that have long-term deals, such as Phaneuf, Bozak or Joffrey Lupul, Franson will not be able to re-sign with the Leafs.

Mar 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) stretches during warm-ups against Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

If they trade Franson there is still a possibility he could come back next season, but the price will be higher at that time so it is unlikely the Leafs will go down that road. Considering that the Leafs could have had gotten Franson on a cheaper deal if they managed their salary cap better or got him to sign a multi-year deal last summer, has to fall on Nonis’ shoulders. Franson wants to stay and make it work, but he will not sign a new deal that does not meet his value. Sure he is not perfect, because of his lack of foot speed and some bad decisions he makes with the puck, but his big body and ability to log minutes on the powerplay and against top lines is something other teams will value and pay for.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs