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Franson likely more than a PTO |
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If you follow my buddy Gatekeeper from the Puckin Hostile Shoutcast, you have seen his hypothesis of the last 24 hours—that there may be more to the Hawks bringing defenseman Cody Franson in as a camp PTO.
I tend to agree with this hypothesis—though I have not heard that specifically from a valid team-connected source at this point.
What I did hear is what I reported several weeks back: that the Hawks hoped to bring Franson in on a PTO—and I believe they identified him as a guy whose experience and whatever ability he has, could give them something they presently lack from 5-7 on the blueline.
For all the breathy projections around a bottom pairing of Jan Rutta and Gustav Forsling ("play the kids, the future is nigh!"), the hard reality is the Hawks are not yet in rebuild mode—and this is still Joel Quenneville's team. Where, especially on the blueline, experience (and therefore Q's trust) is typically going to trump raw ability.
For proof, look no further than the Three Wheeled Jewel Shopping Cart himself, Michal Rozsival, and the fact that he has lingered in Chicago long past his expiration date of May 2015.
The belief that Rozsival was only re-upped last year as expansion draft fodder may have some validity. but don't think for a second the Hawks were assuming George McPhee was anxiously eyeing Rozy in the display case.
No, likely Rozsival was re-upped partially for that reason and partially because, well, Q wanted at least the option of having him around as the 7th defenseman, as opposed to say Ville Pokka or some Wild and Crrr-razy Guy Guy from Europe who'd never played on the smaller North American ice sheet.
The problem there is, the already limited and diminished Rozsival is apparently nursing yet another injury (see: photos of Rozy on a three-wheeled scooter—you can't make this stuff up—at Hawk prospect camp).
Enter: Franson.
He's become a bit of a journeyman (obviously). Slow afoot, not great in his own end, much better offensively. But, his underlying analytics seem to support that he can be a pretty good player—pretty much wherever he's been.
As of last week, sources were reporting that Franson's choices were down to Edmonton and Chicago. Without knowing what Edmonton was offering, at this point, due to their cap situation, all really the Hawks can offer is a PTO, or just sign Franson to a league minimum deal and cut someone else.
Yet, they got Franson to come in for (on the surface at least) nothing.
So I suspect that Franson ultimately wants a little more money than league minimum—something the Hawks will have, well, a lot of, after the first game of the season, when Marian Hossa's long-term IR cap relief comes into effect.
No, Franson will not command much of that money, but don't be surprised if he is signed to a contract in early October for more than league minimum—if nothing else shakes loose financially before then. Stick tap to Gate, I think he nailed this.
And as I've been saying all summer—it is exceedingly unlikely that the Hawks will trade for someone else's "Top 4" defenseman—and pay him the Lion's Share of Hossa's cap money.
What team is willing to part with such a player for the usual suspects: Pokka, Forsling or a 2nd round pick? Answer, no one.
And that raises another question: what would the Hawks actually have to give up to acquire that player? A lot more than they can afford if they intend to contend this year—which they desperately want to do—and financially need to do after first-round outs in the last two years' playoffs.
As I've been saying, the much greater likelihood was a portion of Hossa's money would go to an experienced depth defenseman.
Like Franson.
Hey, the Hawks may inspect the goods with Franson in camp and decide to look elsewhere—like to Las Vegas for a Jon Merrill or Carolina to revisit Trevor van Riemsdyk.
But, really either way, logic should tell you, that "True Top 4" defenseman people keep talking about is not coming over the mountains on a white steed anytime soon.
With a low-cost depth add like Franson, then the remainder of the Hossa money could go into "abeyance," allow Quenneville to see what he has in totality, and make an inseason move to backfill what he feels he's missing. Which if I had to bet, is going to be a depth/defensive center, but we'll see.
All I have for now, will be back this weekend with Prospect Tourney reports.
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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