Cody Franson Recalled by Predators

As has been speculated for a couple of days and was reported by Admirals Short Shifts on Tuesday night, Cody Franson has been recalled by the Nashville Predators and will meet the team in Edmonton.

Sometimes, it's hard to keep secrets. In Barry Trotz's post game presser, he was specifically asked if Franson would go west with the Predators and he responded, "We're thinking about that."

While not addressing Franson specifically, Trotz also discussed players going up and down and how the team likes for them to get extra playing time and see different situations. That would explain Franson's quick trip to Milwaukee for a two game set where he logged more time than he would have in Nashville.

Here is the official release from the Nashville Predators...

PREDATORS RECALL DEFENSEMAN CODY FRANSON FROM MILWAUKEE

Nashville, Tenn. (December 16, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled defenseman Cody Franson from Milwaukee (AHL).

Franson, 22 (8/8/87), ranks seventh among rookie defensemen in points, with seven (2g-5a) in 24 games since making his NHL debut on Oct. 17 at Washington. He also leads the Predators, and is tied for fourth among rookie defensemen in plus/minus (+5). Nashville’s third choice, 79th overall (third round), in the 2005 Entry Draft, Franson recorded his first career NHL point/assist on Oct. 21 at Boston and scored his first NHL goal the following night in a 6-5 overtime victory at Ottawa. Franson’s recall to Nashville is his second of the season. The Sicamous, B.C., native started the 2009-10 season with the Admirals before being recalled on Oct. 16. He skated in 24 of Nashville’s next 26 games before being reassigned to Milwaukee on Dec. 13. Franson has five points (1g-4a) in five contests with the Admirals this season.

The Predators, who are currently tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the Central Division lead (43 points each), begin a three-game road trip tomorrow night at Edmonton (8:30 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee, 104.5 FM The Zone) and will play six of their next seven games on the road. The club’s next home game will be vs. the Blackhawks on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets to this game, and all other regular season contests are now on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass