Cody Franson to Sweden (rumour)

[bustaheims]

Nothing wrong with a 6/7 stay-at-home guy who doesn't stand out.

Yeah. I mean, Holzer will in all likelihood be a rather unremarkable bottom pairing guy - and, that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's probably going to be a guy you don't notice all that much most nights, and what that really means is he's doing his job.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Nothing wrong with a 6/7 stay-at-home guy who doesn't stand out.

Yeah. I mean, Holzer will in all likelihood be a rather unremarkable bottom pairing guy - and, that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's probably going to be a guy you don't notice all that much most nights, and what that really means is he's doing his job.

Well sure, but if he's getting a spot over Franson who I think has a higher ceiling and has shown more at the NHL level already, then I don't get the thinking.

I saw Holzer a few times last year (couple times in the regular season and a lot in the playoffs) and I didn't get all the hype. I didn't even think he was the best D-man on the Marlies.

The Franson situation has been handled terribly IMO. They should've played the kid last year as much as possible to see what they have. Then they would have a good idea of his value and could sign him for a correct price (or thereabouts) or trade him as he's young and has decent production.

 

[Jalili]

I'm not a big fan of the Leafs letting him go for someone like Holzer to step in. I had limited exposure to Holzer but I wasn't overly impressed with his play either, and that was with the Marlies.

He is only 1 year younger than Franson, he's yet to stick with the big boys(only played 2 games in NHL so far), and he only potted 25 points last season(20 regular season, 5 playoffs). To me, Holzer is more of a replacement for Komisarek, but that of course is hoping that Holzer can even handle it in the NHL.

And if that's the case, buy out Komisarek to make room for Holzer and see how he does.

I agree.  Holzer or any player shouldn't be given a spot, they should have to earn it.

Yet, he's pencilled in on most line ups. I don't get the love affair.

It's moreso that Holzer has paid his dues with the organization and a spot has finally opened up for him.

 

[Palmateer29]

Nothing wrong with a 6/7 stay-at-home guy who doesn't stand out.

Yeah. I mean, Holzer will in all likelihood be a rather unremarkable bottom pairing guy - and, that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's probably going to be a guy you don't notice all that much most nights, and what that really means is he's doing his job.

Well sure, but if he's getting a spot over Franson who I think has a higher ceiling and has shown more at the NHL level already, then I don't get the thinking.

I saw Holzer a few times last year (couple times in the regular season and a lot in the playoffs) and I didn't get all the hype. I didn't even think he was the best D-man on the Marlies.

The Franson situation has been handled terribly IMO. They should've played the kid last year as much as possible to see what they have. Then they would have a good idea of his value and could sign him for a correct price (or thereabouts) or trade him as he's young and has decent production.

It wasn't just Wilson who sat him down, he was sat at the end of the year with Carlysle as well. Actually I think he was sat more towards the end of the year. If the coach coming in doesn't think he's going to cut it in his style I can't see him sticking around at all.

That being said I was totally unimpressed with Franson last year.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm not a big fan of the Leafs letting him go for someone like Holzer to step in. I had limited exposure to Holzer but I wasn't overly impressed with his play either, and that was with the Marlies.

He is only 1 year younger than Franson, he's yet to stick with the big boys(only played 2 games in NHL so far), and he only potted 25 points last season(20 regular season, 5 playoffs). To me, Holzer is more of a replacement for Komisarek, but that of course is hoping that Holzer can even handle it in the NHL.

And if that's the case, buy out Komisarek to make room for Holzer and see how he does.

I agree.  Holzer or any player shouldn't be given a spot, they should have to earn it.

Yet, he's pencilled in on most line ups. I don't get the love affair.

It's moreso that Holzer has paid his dues with the organization and a spot has finally opened up for him.

How so? He hasn't played a game in the NHL for 2 years. How are any one of us even sure he's a NHL calibre defenseman. I hope he is. I hope he works out. But if he was so NHL ready, why did he spend the entire year in the minors(and even when called up, he didn't play)?

A good solid dman in the AHL is anything but a good solid dman in the NHL. Until he can show he is, he's simply an AHLer with dreams of playing for the big club.

 

[moon111]

Franson's defense is terrible.  A 3 seconds of penalty-killing per game would be a good indicator.  Another would be comparing his give-aways and take-aways which start to distance themselves from Komisarek when you start to look at games played and ice-time.

 

[Jalili]

I'm not a big fan of the Leafs letting him go for someone like Holzer to step in. I had limited exposure to Holzer but I wasn't overly impressed with his play either, and that was with the Marlies.

He is only 1 year younger than Franson, he's yet to stick with the big boys(only played 2 games in NHL so far), and he only potted 25 points last season(20 regular season, 5 playoffs). To me, Holzer is more of a replacement for Komisarek, but that of course is hoping that Holzer can even handle it in the NHL.

And if that's the case, buy out Komisarek to make room for Holzer and see how he does.

I agree.  Holzer or any player shouldn't be given a spot, they should have to earn it.

Yet, he's pencilled in on most line ups. I don't get the love affair.

It's moreso that Holzer has paid his dues with the organization and a spot has finally opened up for him.

How so? He hasn't played a game in the NHL for 2 years. How are any one of us even sure he's a NHL calibre defenseman. I hope he is. I hope he works out. But if he was so NHL ready, why did he spend the entire year in the minors(and even when called up, he didn't play)?

A good solid dman in the AHL is anything but a good solid dman in the NHL. Until he can show he is, he's simply an AHLer with dreams of playing for the big club.

The only reason he wasn't already on the team last season, or at least given a stint to prove himself, is because he was 5th in line behind 4 other D-men who play the right side and held guaranteed roster spots (Phaneuf Schenn Komisarek Franson).

Sure, there's always the possibility his game won't translate favourably to the NHL, but there's a lot of reason to believe he can be a serviceable NHL D-man.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Sure, there's always the possibility his game won't translate favourably to the NHL, but there's a lot of reason to believe he can be a serviceable NHL D-man.

Like I said, I hope it does translate to a good NHL career.

 

[ZBBM]

If Holzer can play as advertised here -- get the puck out consistently and without panic -- he'll be worth his weight in gold to us. You could argue that that single aspect of the defensive game is what we need more than anything else from the blue line.

The question is can he do it at NHL speed?  That's the whole issue.