I think Franson is perhaps the most underrated offensive d-man in the NHL.

The biggest problem with him, and others like him, is that coaches really seem to dislike big bodied d-men who aren't very physical. Franson, for someone as big as he is, is pretty soft and (rightly or wrongly) this seems to lands him in the doghouse, regardless of who is coaching him.

If I was betting man, when Gardiner makes his way back, I think Carlyle will find any reason to make Franson his whipping boy once again.