Cody Franson v. Toronto Maple Leafs
TEAM #23
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3
Cody Franson ............................................................................................................ 3
Experience ..................................................................................................................... 3
Defense .......................................................................................................................... 4
Offense .......................................................................................................................... 4
Miscellaneous ................................................................................................................ 4
League Comparison .................................................................................................. 5
Franson vs. Gunnarsson ................................................................................................ 6
Franson vs. Kulikov ...................................................................................................... 7
Franson vs. Shattenkirk ................................................................................................. 9
Conclusion............................................................................................................... 10
2
INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to section 12 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (the “CBA”) between the
NHLPA and the NHL, Cody Franson has requested salary arbitration to determine his
compensation for the 2014-2015 Season.
Franson should be evaluated and compensated based on the standards of the current
market. For the reasons set forth herein, Cody Franson respectfully requests an award in the
amount of $4,175,000 for the 2014-2015 season.
CODY FRANSON
Cody Franson (the “Player” or “Franson”) is a 26 year-old 6’5” 213 pound right handed
shooting defenseman with the Toronto Maple Leafs (the “Club” or “Toronto”). Drafted in the 3rd
round 79th overall by Nashville, Franson was traded after two promising seasons to Toronto.1
EXPERIENCE
Cody Franson is a unique multi-dimensional talent on the blue line, blending his reliable
and punishing defensive play with his smooth skating and offensive skills. In Franson’s 20132014 platform season, he set career highs in almost all statistical categories, lending credence to
the notion that Franson is a player on the rise. While the growth in assists, points, blocks, and
takeaways demonstrate a well rounded rising talent, Franson’s increase in even strength and
special teams ice time, represents the confidence that Toronto’s coaching staff has in the Player
to execute regardless of the circumstances.
DEFENSE
In his platform season, Franson ranked 6th in the NHL among all defensemen with 50
takeaways. Additionally, Franson led all NHL defensemen with 282 hits, while managing to play
1 www.nhl.com/codyfranson 3
79 games, and only taking 15 minor penalties. This proves that not only can he play on the edge
physically, but he can do so without hurting himself, or the Club. Impressively, Franson’s
takeaway and hits totals came while playing the majority of his games against his opponents’
best players, as Franson was one of Toronto’s top 3 defensemen in ice time. In addition to
regularly being in the top 3, Franson spent over 1/3 of his platform season games as a top 2
defenseman2.
Cody Franson is a workhorse for Toronto, playing in all situations. The Player ranked 2nd
among Toronto defensemen in power play minutes per game, and 4th in both penalty-killing
minutes per game and regular strength minutes per game.3
OFFENSE
In his platform season, Franson ranked in the top 5 of all Toronto skaters in assists and in
the top 7 in total points. Franson contributed over 20% of Toronto defensemen’s combined
points and over 5% of the Club’s combined points.4 Over the past 5 seasons, Franson is one of
only 21 defensemen to have at least 20 points in each season. Moreover, over the past two
seasons, Franson has ranked 13th and 20th in assists and points respectively, among all NHL
defensemen.5
MISCELLANEOUS
In his platform season, Franson’s performance placed him among a highly respected group
of defensemen that included Stanley Cup Champions, team captains, Olympic Gold Medalists,
and Norris Trophy Finalists. This group dominated all facets of the game by scoring over 30
2 http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471742 3 ibid
4 http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/teams/4974/toronto-maple
leafs/#Team%20Winning%20%25$SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990 5 http://www.nhl.com/ice/statshome.htm?navid=nav-sts-league# 4
points, recording at least 2.00 hits per game, while playing at least 2.50 power play minutes per
game and at least 1.50 shorthanded minutes per game. Franson led this group in hits per game.6
During the Club’s 2012-2013 playoff run, Franson led all Toronto defensemen in points
and goals, ranking 3rd among defensemen on the Club in minutes per game. Franson increased
his hits per game from 2.8 in the regular season to 4.7 in the playoffs. In the deciding game 7,
Franson scored two goals and played 27.52 minutes, second only behind Captain Dion Phaneuf,
demonstrating Franson’s ability to step up when it matters most.
LEAGUE COMPARISON
Of the defensemen who were Restricted Free Agents in one of the previous two seasons,
comparable players who met the following criteria were selected:
PLATFORM SEASON
•
At least 50% of league games played by Franson;
•
+/- 25% of Franson’s Time on Ice per Game (“TOI/G”);
•
At least 50% of Franson’s Points Per Game (“PPG”); and
•
At least 20 Minutes per Game (“Min/G”).
CAREER TO PLATFORM SEASON
•
+/- 50% of Franson’s NHL games played;
•
+/- 25% minutes of Franson’s TOI/G; and
•
+/- 40% of Franson’s PPG.
The comparable players are: Carl Gunnarsson, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Dmitry Kulikov.
Cody Franson vs. Comparable Players – Contracts7
PLAYER
Shattenkirk
2013-2014
$3,300,000
2014-2015
$4,200,000
2015-2016
$4,300,000
6 ibid 7 www.capgeek.com 5
2016-2017
$5,200,000
AVG
$4,250,000
Franson
Kulikov
Gunnarsson
$2,850,000
$4,175,000*
$4,000,000
$3,150,000
$4,500,000
$3,450,000
$4,175,000*
$4,333,333
$3,150,000
$4,500,000
Cody Franson vs. Comparable Players – Platform Year Statistics
PLAYER
GP
G
A
Pts
Pts/G
Min/G
PPMin/G
SHMin/G
Hits/G
TA/G8
Franson
Shattenkirk
Gunnarsson
Kulikov
79
48
37
81
5
5
1
8
28
18
14
11
33
23
15
19
0.42
0.48
0.41
0.23
20.68
21.29
21.27
21.42
2.91
2.63
0.76
2.40
1.65
1.77
2.59
1.80
3.57
1.15
2.11
1.54
0.63
0.46
0.30
0.36
Cody Franson vs. Comparable Players – Career to Platform9
PLAYER
GP
G
A
Pts
Pts/G
Min/G
PPMin/G
SHMin/G
Hits/G
TA/G
Franson
Shattenkirk
Gunnarsson
Kulikov
322
201
224
313
28
23
12
24
105
86
57
75
133
109
69
99
0.41
0.54
0.31
0.32
17.02
20.90
20.53
20.43
2.22
2.84
1.30
2.61
0.59
1.34
2.65
1.07
2.00
0.96
1.34
1.59
0.43
0.51
0.34
0.29
CODY FRANSON vs. CARL GUNNARSSON
EXPERIENCE
Franson has played almost 100 more games than Gunnarsson on a career to platform
basis. Franson has been a more durable and relied upon player as compared to Gunnarsson. In
their respective platform years, Franson played in 96% of his club’s games, while Gunnarsson
played in only 77% of his club’s games. Franson’s durability is highlighted by the fact that in
their platform years both Franson and Gunnarsson were ranked 3rd among their club’s
defenseman in ice time, yet Franson managed to do so playing in 19% more games than
Gunnarsson, and leading the NHL in hits by defensemen. For their careers, Franson has played
in 86% of his games over his past 5 seasons, whereas Gunnarsson has played in only 76% of the
games prior to his contract being signed10.
DEFENSE
8
Takeaways per game.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/statshome.htm?navid=nav-sts-league#
10 ibid 9
6
With respect to takeaways per game, Franson has dominated Gunnarsson in their
respective platform years (0.63 TA/G vs. 0.30 TA/G) as well as in their career to platform
statistics (0.43 TA/G vs. 0.34 TA/G). While Gunnarsson edges Franson in plus/minus in their
respective platform years, Franson has better plus/minus numbers on a career to platform basis.
In their platform seasons, Franson was ranked 1st among his club’s defensemen in hits per game,
while Gunnarsson ranked 4th. Moreover, Franson has vastly outperformed Gunnarsson on a hits
basis both in career to platform and platform seasons.
OFFENSE
Franson has produced points at a higher level as compared to Gunnarsson in both career
to platform and platform years. Moreover, Franson’s least productive season (21 pts) is still
better than Gunnarsson’s most productive season (20 pts). Franson has recorded at least 20
points in all of his seasons, a feat Gunnarsson has only accomplished once. Franson has also
reached 20 assists 3 times, something that Gunnarsson has never accomplished.
MISCELANIOUS
Franson has over 3 times the playoff experience that Gunnarsson has. Moreover, while
Franson has increased the level of his play in the post season,11 Gunnarsson’s numbers have
regressed in the post season.12
SUMMARY
Based on the comparisons, and the $3,100,000 salary that Gunnarsson will earn this
season, it is submitted that Franson’s award request is both fair and reasonable.
CODY FRANSON vs. DMITRY KULIKOV
EXPERIENCE
11
12
Going from 0.41 PPG in the regular season, to 0.57 PPG in the playoffs.
Slipping from 0.31 PPG in the regular season, to 0.14 PPG in the playoffs. 7
Franson and Kulikov have both demonstrated that they are durable players. In their
respective platform years, Franson played in 96% of his club’s games, while Kulikov played in
99% of his club’s games. For their careers, over the past 5 seasons, Franson has played in 86% of
his games, whereas Kulikov has played in 83% of his games.
DEFENSE
With respect to takeaways per game, Franson has outpaced Kulikov in their platform
years (0.63 TA/G vs. 0.36 TA/G) and in their career to platform statistics (0.43 TA/G vs. 0.29
TA/G). Franson had more hits per game than Kulikov in both their platform seasons (3.57 H/G
vs. 1.54 H/G), and their career to platform statistics (2.00 H/G vs. 1.59 H/G). While Kulikov
played a minute more per game than Franson, both Franson and Kulikov played over 20 minutes
per game. Franson was the 3rd ranked defenseman for Toronto, a club that contended for the post
season, playing over 1/3 of his platform season as Toronto’s 2nd ranked defenseman. Conversely,
Kulikov was the 2nd ranked defensemen on Florida, a club that finished 29/30 in the standings.
OFFENSE
Franson has produced points at a higher level than Kulikov in career to platform (0.41
PPG vs. 0.32 PPG) and platform years (0.42 PPG vs. 0.23 PPG). Franson has recorded at least 20
points in all of his seasons, while Kulikov has only done it twice. Franson has also recorded 20
assists 3 times, a feat which Kulikov has accomplished twice.
MISCELANIOUS
Franson has over 3 times the playoff experience that Kulikov has. Moreover, while
Franson has increased his level of play in the post season,13 Kulikov’s numbers have regressed in
the post season.14
13
14
See supra note 3.
Slipping from 0.32 PPG in the regular season, to 0.14 PPG in the playoffs. 8
SUMMARY
Based on the comparisons, and the $4,000,000 salary that Kulikov will earn this season,
it is submitted that Franson’s award request is both fair and reasonable.
CODY FRANSON vs. KEVIN SHATTENKIRK
EXPERIENCE
Franson has played over 120 more NHL games than Shattenkirk. Franson and
Shattenkirk have both demonstrated that they are durable players. Over the past two seasons,
Franson has played in 95% of his club’s games, while Shattenkirk has played in 99% of his
club’s games.
DEFENSE
With respect to takeaways per game, Shattenkirk has a slight lead over Franson in career
to platform (0.51 T/G vs. 0.43 T/G); however, Franson dominated Shattenkirk in their respective
platform years (0.63 T/G vs. 0.46 T/G). Franson had more hits per game than Shattenkirk in both
their respective platform seasons (3.57 H/G vs. 1.15 H/G), and in their career to platform
statistics (2.00 H/G vs. 0.96 H/G). While Franson was ranked 1st among defensemen and 2nd
overall in the NHL in hits in his platform season, Shattenkirk was ranked 227th in the NHL and
83rd among defensemen. Franson and Shattenkirk played over 20 minutes per game, with
Shattenkirk playing less than a minute more per game than Franson. Both Franson and
Shattenkirk were their respective club’s 3rd ranked defenseman in their platform seasons, with
respect to ice time.15
15 See supra note 9. 9
OFFENSE
Both Franson and Shattenkirk have been prominent point producers for their clubs.
Shattenkirk slightly edged Franson in their platform years (0.48 PPG vs. 0.42 PPG). However, in
the two years to platform their numbers are virtually identical with Shattenkirk at 0.51 PPG and
Franson at 0.50 PPG.16 Franson has recorded at least 20 points in all of his seasons, a feat
Shattenkirk has only accomplished three times. Franson has recorded 20 assists 3 times, a feat
that Shattenkirk has only accomplished twice. This indicates that Franson has proven himself to
be a more consistent player than Shattenkirk.
MISCELANIOUS
Franson has played 8 more playoff games than Shattenkirk. While Franson has increased
the level of his play in the post season,17 Shattenkirk’s numbers have regressed in the post
season.18
SUMMARY
Based on the comparisons, and the $4,200,000 salary that Shattenkirk will earn this
season, it is submitted that Franson’s award request is both fair and reasonable.
CONCLUSION
Cody Franson is a well-rounded, durable, and physical rising star who contributes in all
facets of the game. Compared to similar players Carl Gunnarsson, Kevin Shattenkirk and Dmitry
Kulikov, Franson demonstrates his worth not only to Toronto, but also to the NHL. It has been
demonstrated that Franson should be compensated ahead of Carl Gunnarsson and in the range of
Dmitry Kulikov and Kevin Shattenkirk. As such, for the reasons stated herein, it is respectfully
requested that Cody Franson be awarded a salary of $4,175,000 for the 2014-2015 season.
16 www.nhl.com 17
18
See supra note 3.
Dropping off from 0.44 PPG in the regular season, to 0.27 PPG in the playoffs. 10