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Toronto Maple Leafs trade Cody Franson to Nashville Predators

By Cory Buck

Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik (26) celebrates his tying goal in the third period with center Mike Santorelli (25) and defenseman Cody Franson (4) against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik (26) celebrates his tying goal in the third period with center Mike Santorelli (25) and defenseman Cody Franson (4) against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators for a first-round pick and two players.

The Nashville Predators aren’t shying from their place in the standing and they’re embracing the expectations that come with sitting atop the Western Conference for most of this NHL season. Now they’re putting more future assets on the line to stay there.

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The team announced they’ve acquired defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2015 first-round pick, prospect Brendan Leipsic and veteran forward Olli Jokinen, who was likely just a piece thrown in to make the cap figures relatively even.

In making the deal, the Predators acquired one of the most coveted defenseman on the trade market while also bolstering their forward depth for what they hope is set to be a deep playoff hunt in the tough Western Conference.

The Leafs meanwhile add future assets to an organization in desperate need of more. While Franson is just hitting his prime and has averaged 20 or more minutes per game, his value is diminished by the fact that he’ll be a free agent this summer. Santorelli was another player widely rumored to be available. He has 11 goals and 29 points in 57 games this year.

Getting a first-round pick in a deep draft for those two players is a huge coup, and getting Leipsic, who is nearly ready for the NHL with solid top-nine forward potential, is a nice add-in as well.

While we knew that the Leafs wanted to move Franson and others to expedite an organizational rebuild, we find it a little surprising that the Predators of all teams were willing to meet their asking price. This is a team that has always placed high value on its young prospects and rarely ventured into big trade territory.

The Detroit Red Wings were reportedly among those interested in Franson, but they wouldn’t meet the asking price. Given that Nashville picked fourth overall in the draft just two years ago, this stands as a bit of a risk for a team many thought would still be a year or two year away. The Predators have a balanced club with great potential, but if they don’t go far in the playoffs, they’ll soon wonder about that draft pick in the ensuing summer.

You can likely expect the Leafs to continue plucking away at their roster, trading established players for future assets, while the Predators might want to make another move to stay as deep as possible as they look to combat the tough squads that reside in the Western Conference.

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