The revamped Buffalo Sabres appear to be on the brink of adding one more significant piece to the puzzle.
Unrestricted free agent Cody Franson is close to inking a two-year contract with Buffalo. TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting that the annual cap hit is expected to be around $3.3 million and PHT’s Dhiren Mahiban stated that the contract is projected to be worth $6.65 million in total. Franson is reportedly in Buffalo for a physical.
If he ends up signing for that amount, it would be the biggest contract of his career in terms of the total value, but it’s still far less than he likely imagine he would be signing for this summer. Franson recorded a career-high 36 points last season and the 28-year-old defenseman was seen as one of the better UFA options going into the offseason. He was consequently expected to be in line for a big payday, but the market proved to be a lot less friendly to veteran players than has traditionally been the case.
As a result, Buffalo appears to be on the brink of adding Franson at a great price. It also allows them to upgrade their blueline while maintaining a healthy cap situation, which will be important next summer when they have to re-sign quite a few RFAs including Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rasmus Ristolainen.
Franson to #Sabres reunites him with former junior teammate Evander Kane and offseason training buddy Josh Gorges.
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) September 10, 2015
I'm told Franson was in talks with the #NHLBruins & #Pens as recently as last week.
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) September 10, 2015
#Sabres initial offer to Franson was 2-yrs, $6 mil. Franson camp countered at 2-yrs closer to $8 mil. Two sides settled at 2-yrs $6.65 mil
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) September 10, 2015