So apparently Cody Franson might get traded. Here’s a picture of him looking for a cab to the airport or something.

People are accusing me of hating everything the Leafs do just because I’m a whiner. I mean, I’ve spent over half a decade blogging about the Toronto Maple Leafs, two of which were spent actually working for the team, and I’ve been constantly dumped on for defending the likes of Phaneuf, Kessel, etc. But hey, people disagree with me, so let’s all call Steve a meanie bo beanie because I disagree with his points and critical thinking.

How about this…

Here is how I think trading Franson could be a good idea, and how trading Franson could be a bad idea.

Cody Franson is a quality young defenceman. He’s a right-handed shot, puts up crazy points, and can play special teams. Hell, he can even lay a guy out every now and then. Remember this sort of accidental but still awesome hit on Crosby?

 

Don’t focus on the Leafs losing Franson, though. Instead, focus on what other teams will do to trade him.

One thing the NHL isn’t short of is silly teams perfectly willing to do silly things. Every GM in the league has to have the Flyers, Flames and Oilers on speed dial at this point. Given that, and given the fact that there are many teams out there dying for a defenceman like Cody Franson, somebody out there is going to pay through the nose for this guy.

Sure, Franson doesn’t have a contract right now. The fact still remains that he is a tremendously valuable commodity. What would a GM like Craig MacTavish, who has a new job, young team, restless fanbase, and weak defence core offer for Cody Franson. A 1^st rounder? Two picks? Picks, prospects, and a retweet from Justin Bieber? The possibilities are endless!

Right now, there have to be multiple team incapable of passing up an opportunity like this. How do you get a defenceman as good and as young as Franson? You either draft him, sign him to an offer sheet (which pretty much never happens), or wait for a team in a cap crunch situation to trade him. Opportunity knocks, gentlemen.

Losing Franson sucks for the Leafs, but the return for him could be sizeable. And here’s a thought: The Leafs might have already found a replacement. If Paul Ranger is all he’s being pumped up to be, having him on a one-year $1 million contract could be an absolute steal. Besides, it’s not guaranteed that Franson will continue to produce at the click he did in 2012-13, anyway. Sell high!

Looking at it that way, losing Cody Franson might not be a huge deal.

So let me get this straight: The Leafs made a trade with Nashville. They took on Matthew Lombardi’s brutal contract in order to bring in Cody Franson. Ron Wilson benches Franson to start the season, and for big chunks throughout, despite decent production. Franson has a very strong albeit shortened season with the Leafs in 2012-13, and is 8^th among NHL defenceman in scoring, 1st on the Leafs… and he’s gone?

Then there’s this

And this

And this

And this

You know what…screw it. I’m pro-trade. That’s right. I don’t mind if the Leafs trade Cody Franson. If they get nothing for him, well, then I’ll obviously start to hate the move. I’m not crazy about it right now, but I don’t hate it either. As good as Franson is, I’m not willing to die on this hill.

In fact – what move?!?! Nothing has even happened yet! Maybe nothing will happen at all!

How soon do these guys hit the ice again?