The Cody Franson saga has finally come to a conclusion.
Cody Franson's two-year deal with BUF is now a done deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 10, 2015
Franson's AAV for each of the next two seasons is 3.325M.
It was a pipe dream for the Pittsburgh Penguins to acquire his services but one that would have immensely helped Pittsburgh's top four defense depth.
This is a great signing for Buffalo and will get them a lot closer to being competitive in 2015-16. Their forward grouping is vastly improved with players like Jack Eichel, Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane, and Sam Reinhart all likely to be regular contributors to the team that were not there in 2014-15.
The defense position left a lot to be desired in Buffalo (still does) but adding Franson was a nice get. Rasmus Ristolainen and Mark Pysyk are probably not given enough credit for their abilities. It is the veteran defensemen like Josh Gorges and Mike Weber that can pose an issue. Adding Franson lessens the burden on Zach Bogosian whose reputation is probably more favorable than reality. Carlo Colaiacovo is a sneaky depth signing that brings quality value if he is able to stay healthy (his biggest issue so far in his career).
If Robin Lehner can play at a league average level the Buffalo Sabres should be in the playoff fight late into the season. Far cry from how terrible they were last year even if it was intentional.
Franson signing in Buffalo for 3.3M highlights how just one bad contract can block a team's ability to go from very good to favorite. Rob Scuderi will make 3.375M the next two years which is basically the exact same cost of Franson in both salary and term. Like it or lump it valuing analytics at the time would have prevented the Rob Scuderi signing.
While I have confidence that Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot can be effective top four defensemen in 2015-16 I don't have confidence that Pittsburgh will always have their optimal lineup on defense due to injury. While Cody Franson would definitely not make up for a Kris Letang or Olli Maatta injury he would certainly soften the blow.
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Cool question posed by Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy. He asked some NHL stars who they would pick to be on their 3 on 3 overtime line. The catch was that it didn't have to be active NHL players. Some pretty good answers and there was a decent amount of love for Pittsburgh players.
Brandon Saad knows what's up.
Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the world according to Andrew Berkshire. He has some great objective information to make his point
Even in Crosby's worst year, no one can make gamebreaking plays like he can http://t.co/lNwZN2hmw9 pic.twitter.com/lHMfPVqula
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) September 10, 2015
A+ Geno photobomb right here. https://t.co/PuYGHVuI5g
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 10, 2015
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