The Trade That Hasn't Helped. . .Yet

When it was announced that the Maple Leafs had swung a deal to land defenceman Cody Franson back in the summer, it seemed like not only a no-brainer, but a deal that didn't cost the Leafs anything at all. In fact, it still looks like a deal you'd make.

In exchange for taking on the $3.5 million contract of Matthew Lombardi for this year and next, the Leafs got the young, strapping Franson, a regular on the stout Nashville backline last season. Nashville received Brett Lebda, who was bought out, and Robert Slaney, now playing in the ECHL. The aim of the Preds was to move dollars, and we saw recently why that was when goalie Pekka Rinne was inked to a $49 million contract.

Those are the kinds of choices GM David Poile has to make in Nashville, and he's done very well at making them. So far, the deal with Toronto hasn't hurt the Preds, fifth in the west this season with one point less than the Leafs, who were until last week one of the hottest teams in the league.

But it hasn't help Toronto nearly as much as assistant GM David Nonis, the wheel man on this trade, believed it would. But then, it is early.

Franson will play in only his fifth game this season tonight against the Predators. He seemed like he would fit with the Leafs on the right side of the defence, with the assumption being he could beat out Mike Komisarek. Well, he hasn't, the Leafs are committed more than ever to Luke Schenn, and Dion Phaneuf gobbles up huge minutes. So the right side of the Leaf defence is spoken for.

The left side isn't in quite the same way. But what the Leafs didn't know when they swung the the deal was that Franson can't play the left side like some, but not many, right-handed shooting defencemen can. It's a weird reality that while many lefties can play the right side, few righties can play the left. In Franson's case, he couldn't make the adjustment at all, which opened up room for Jake Gardiner and has left Franson on the sidelines most of the time.

He may work his way into the lineup, or injuries might get him there. The other option is a trade, and Brian Burke showed with Kris Versteeg last season he's not afraid to acknowledge a bad fit after less than a season. The Leafs were initially focussed on getting prospects and picks for Franson if he were moved, but with goaltending suddenly a major need, that might work as well.

Lombardi, meanwhile, has been both a success story and a disappointment. He managed to get his concussion symptoms under control in time to be in the opening night lineup and he scored a shorthanded goal that night against Montreal in an inspirational effort.

Since then, he's added only one more, and is a minus-7 on the season. His speed appears not to be as explosive, and his offensive game just isn't there at all despite getting 12-15 minutes most nights. His contract, however, mandates that he gets a long, long look even though players who might be more effective in his role - Darryl Boyce - languish with the Marlies.

Again, deals take time to flush out. Even the Phil Kessel swap looks better these days as he continues to lead the league in scoring (that, of course, doesn't alter the fact the Bruins got Tyler Seguin AND won the Cup). 

Right now, of course, is when it would be very helpful for this Nashville deal to start paying some dividends. With injuries up front and four losses in their past five games, improved contributions from both the ex-Preds could make a big difference.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Conn Smythe]

'He managed to get his concussion symptoms under control in time to be in the opening night lineup'...Lombardi was a throw in because he played only 2 games last season and the Leafs had to take his salary...The fact that he is playing is a success story - he hasn't been a disappointment at all because he wasn't supposed to be even playing. Franson, sure, he has been a disappointment. He has no excuse for his poor play.

[Scot Loucks]

The unfortunate result of sitting out almost a season due to a concussion is that it seems to take at least a season for the returning player to regain their form. A prime example would be Bergeron with the Bruins.

[R Smith]

Franson's confidence must be in the toilet right now. Look at the long leash he let Komo have and he still lets guys slip by him every night, reminds me of Todd Gill. New coach needed to get more out of these players. I haven't said this for a long time but a change is needed now.

[Bill D.]

Sure the Kessel deal is looking better for Toronto but it is looking very good for Boston too. Seguin is having a breakthrough year, matching his goal total of last year already and is a +15. If that were the extent of the trade everything would be fine and pretty even but it isn't. Dougie Hamilton, the other 1st round pick Boston picked up from the trade is tearing up the OHL with impressive offensive numbers.He has 10 goals and 29 points in 20 games with Niagara and was named OHL's defenseman of the month for October. Evaluating the Kessel trade fully is still a few years away but this is one trade where one team can't be accused of taking the other team to the cleaners. Value was had by both.