Cody Franson

[strider2k2]

I was under the impression that Cody Franson had signed to play the entire season in Sweden, regardless of what happens with the lockout. My buddy, however, said otherwise and pointed me to this tweet. Does anybody know what's really going on?

[SeaDawg]

When the story first broke, it was reported that Franson was not coming back. Since the tweet to which you linked, speculation is that he can return, but you have to keep in mind that he is unsigned and is unhappy with his situation in Toronto. I suspect that even if the lock-out ends, he won't be in a rush to return to the NHL unless he is traded, or signed to a lucrative deal that ensures he gets more playing time/opportunity.

[strider2k2]

Thanks for the help.

The reason I'm asking is because my league allows players who sign in Europe to be placed on our farms, but with everybody signing contracts overseas because of the lockout we didn't want anybody exploiting the spirit of the rule and stashing guys on their farms that really shouldn't be there, so we said that anybody that signs a lockout contract can't be demoted, and with all of the initial reports saying Franson was stuck in Sweden his owner wanted to put him on his farm. If there's a chance he comes back this season after the lockout, or at the very least if he could come back after the lockout, I'm thinking he shouldn't be farm eligible until after the lockout when he doesn't come back.

[SeaDawg]

I don't really see Franson's situation being all that much different than many other players playing in Europe/Russia right now. If the NHL did not lock the players out, I highly doubt he would have gone to Europe.

That said, now that he signed there, he may not come back, but many players may not come back. Heck, Ovechkin even said he might not come back if the new CBA means he will make considerably less money.

No one knows for sure right now which players will or will not return to the NHL if/when the lockout ends.

[Big Ev]

Originally Posted by SeaDawg

I don't really see Franson's situation being all that much different than many other players playing in Europe/Russia right now. If the NHL did not lock the players out, I highly doubt he would have gone to Europe.

That said, now that he signed there, he may not come back, but many players may not come back. Heck, Ovechkin even said he might not come back if the new CBA means he will make considerably less money.

No one knows for sure right now which players will or will not return to the NHL if/when the lockout ends.

I'd say we do know. Every player with an NHL contract MUST return.

Franson? He doesn't have one, so he can play in Europe all he wants.

[SeaDawg]

yeah, you are correct Big Ev in that they are supposed to return, but Ovechkin said he may not return if he doesn't like the terms of his new CBA and Bryzgalov said he wouldn't be surprised if other Russians stay in the KHL.

I'm not saying for sure it will happen, but if the lockout drags on too long and the new CBA results in players giving up too much salary, I could see some disgruntled players not returning to the NHL.

[PrairieDog]

You have to think that at least a few teams would be interested in him - the Leafs' blue line is somewhat deep so in the right situation I think he could do quite well if given a top 4 role, with some PP time.

[SeaDawg]

Originally Posted by PrairieDog

You have to think that at least a few teams would be interested in him - the Leafs' blue line is somewhat deep so in the right situation I think he could do quite well if given a top 4 role, with some PP time.

that is why I snagged him in two of my leagues. I figure there is a good chance he will be dealt, considering there were rumblings going back to last year that he was unhappy in TO

[Big Ev]

Originally Posted by SeaDawg

yeah, you are correct Big Ev in that they are supposed to return, but Ovechkin said he may not return if he doesn't like the terms of his new CBA and Bryzgalov said he wouldn't be surprised if other Russians stay in the KHL.

I'm not saying for sure it will happen, but if the lockout drags on too long and the new CBA results in players giving up too much salary, I could see some disgruntled players not returning to the NHL.

Whether they want to return is irrelevant. They will be contractually forced to, or else they would (or could) be sued. The KHL has an agreement in place with the NHL and they would not be allowed to sign NHLers without permission.

[SeaDawg]

Originally Posted by Big Ev

Whether they want to return is irrelevant. They will be contractually forced to, or else they would (or could) be sued. The KHL has an agreement in place with the NHL and they would not be allowed to sign NHLers without permission.

well, that may be true, but if I signed a contract for X amount of money and X amount of years and then the new CBA took away some of that money and some of those years, I would argue in court that I am no longer bound by that contract and would be free to play anywhere I wanted

and even if I am contractually bound to a contract in the NHL, can you sue me if I am playing in Russia? Did the Predators sue Radulov?

I'm not saying that Ovechkin will not play in the NHL, but he has made the threat and I could see others being very unhappy if the NHL cuts the length of contracts that have already been signed or decided to take more money from players via escrow or some other method.