from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,
It’s now four weeks in to free agency. Franson’s still not signed. How can it be?
Corsi analyst: Franson set to “become one of wealthiest players.”
This will be a bigger mystery if you’re a devout believer in Corsi-based player analysis. Several writers have been saying for some time that Franson scores exceedingly well on Corsi counts.
In December this past season, James Mirtle of Toronto’s Globe & Mail laid out the case: “Franson has also grown into a top pairing role, logging 275 of his 348 even strength minutes (80 per cent) alongside captain Dion Phaneuf so far this year. Despite those minutes and some tough situations, when Franson has been on the ice, the Leafs have been a 50 per cent possession team, nearly 4 per cent better than when he’s on the bench. He drives play, and more than ever, teams are looking for that.”
Then there was analytics writer Steve Burtch, a Leafs fan and perhaps Franson’s biggest on-line booster, writing for Sportsnet: “To put it plainly, Franson produces offensively amongst the elite D-men in the NHL. His possession impacts are amazingly consistent, and have never been negative. He has shown an ability to both reduce shot-attempts against and increase shot-attempts for. And goals-for and against improve significantly when he is on the ice compared to what one would expect based on his usage. … Franson’s on-ice impact and potential UFA status this summer combine to create a very unique combination, and rumours are already spreading that his camp will be seeking a deal worth $5 million-plus annually…. However things play out, Franson is set to become one of the wealthiest players in the NHL a year from now, and for a long time to come. Because despite what the eye test says, he deserves it.”
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