This is the first in a multi-part series leading up to the 2010-11 regular season.
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To help bridge the gap between now and the regular season, we will be doing a series called Three Minutes With. Every installment will be with a different member of the Nashville Predators family. Could be players. Could be coaches. Could even be fans. In the first installment we have Preds defenseman Cody Franson. After getting the call-up from the Milwaukee Admirals last year, the 23-year old blueliner posted impressive numbers. So impressive that, projected onto a full season of action, he would’ve finished in the top three in scoring among NHL rookie defensemen.
Jeremy K. Gover: How good does it feel to have that contract done?
Cody Franson: It’s great. I’m very happy with how things turned out and I’m excited about being here for the next two years, and hopefully longer after that so I’m excited to get things going. I’m just happy to be here.
JG: Talk a little bit about the path you’ve taken to this point in your career.
CF: You know, it’s been a long process. Those two years in Milwaukee were good and I was obviously hoping to see some time (in the NHL) in those two years but that’s just the way it goes. You know, I got a chance last year and I tried to take advantage of it as best I could and, fortunately enough for me, it worked out in my favor.
JG: You’re a puck shooting defenseman, at least that’s what we saw last year here in Nashville. Is that your style or is that something the coaches told you to focus on once you got here?
CF: No no, that’s my style. Coming through junior and through Milwaukee and stuff, that’s always been my go-to. You know, get shots through and create opportunities through that so that’s something I take pride in.
JG: How’d you spend your summer?
CF: I was in Kelowna, just training down there. I was just relaxing and seeing my family a bit. I played some golf, went out on the lake a few times and just tried not to think about (the contract situation) all that much and let my agents handle it for the most part.
JG: What’s it like to be on the ice with your teammates again, even though it’s an informal skate?
CF: It’s great. You know, we all spend about eight or nine months together every year and we separate for the summer but it’s always fun to get back to see everybody. We have a lot of fun together and we’ve got a good group of guys so it’s something you look forward to getting back to.
JG: Lastly, is the informal skate a way to get your legs back under you or is it more so to develop camaraderie with the guys?
CF: A little bit of both, actually. You know, the guys come in early to get ready for camp and prepare themselves. But it’s fun at the same time. Everybody comes in early to hang out a little bit and see how everybody’s summers went and stuff like that so it’s good in both aspects.
JG: Thank you so much.
CF: No problem.