The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenceman Cody Franson to a professional try-out offer. Franson heads to Hawks camp looking to make the team. Franson spent the previous two years with the Buffalo Sabres after signing as a free agent in September of 2015.
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Cody Franson Signs PTO with the Chicago Blackhawks
It marks the fourth team the 29-year-old dressed for since being drafted in the third round, 79th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2005. The past two seasons in Buffalo haven’t been the greatest for Franson. He never averaged more than 18 and a half minutes of ice time per game. That ranked fifth among defenceman on the Sabres. Franson’s point totals the last two campaigns were his worst in his career.
The Buffalo Sabres continued to be one of the basement dwellers in the Eastern Conference during Franson’s two seasons with the team. The 29-year-old Franson was came to Buffalo with plenty of fanfare and expectations, but was not able to live up to that. He likely welcomes his change of scenery and a fresh start with a new club. Franson made $2.65 million last season.
Drafted 79th overall in 2005 he has put together a respectable career with 205 points in 527 games. In 68 games last season he registered three goals and 19 points. Franson has never been a point producing defenseman however, his highest point total was in 2014-15 where he notched seven goals and 36 points in season split between the Maple Leafs and the Nashville Predators. He had 32 points in 55 games for the Leafs that season, but disappointed in his 23 games with the Predators after being acquired at the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline.
Main Photo:
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 29: Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Cody Franson (6) directs some traffic before a faceoff during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on November 29, 2016, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
