Edmonton Oilers Should Consider UFA Cody Franson

The Edmonton Oilers still have room for improvement this coming season, and one place to start is free agency.

With no critical cap space situation and some questions that still have to be answered, Edmonton has options this offseason. One player that would greatly benefit the team is Cody Franson.

First off, Edmonton may not want to re-sign Kris Russell when they can get a player at the same price with more ability in free agency.

Edmonton Oilers

Franson fills the holes that the Oilers need; not only is he a right-hand shot but a solid defenceman with strong possession numbers. While Russell blocks a lot of shots, he is a left-hand defender and doesn’t have the best possession metrics in the NHL.

Not to mention, Franson brings a lot more size and physicality, which is something the Oilers need on the blue line. Eric Gryba fills that role but is not as strong a defenceman. Franson can not only add physicality, but the 6-foot-5, 224-pound blueliner can take care of the puck as well.

Through 68 games this past season, Franson scored three goals and 19 points. He also had 87 hits and 68 shot blocks, as well as just 30 giveaways. In addition, Franson boasted a career-high 4.3 relative Corsi this past year. His Fenwick percentage has remained over 50 percent for the last three seasons.

In past years, he has been a consistent 30-point scorer and shows a lot of puck-moving prowess. On a team like Edmonton, Franson could thrive; he has an underrated point shot, and with his ability to start the rush from the defensive zone, the Oilers offence could carry him a long way. Not to mention, he can play big minutes and fit into the top-four right away.

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Considering the Oilers situation, they may want to consider letting Russell walk and getting Franson for around the same price. He is a player that is more likely to remain long-term with the team and add more security and size on the blueline.