- Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Cody Franson received his third straight one-year deal ($3.3 million) from the Maple Leafs. His new deal doesn’t mean the Maple Leafs won’t continue looking at moving him.
“Toronto’s obviously where I want to be so I’m always hopeful there wasn’t a ton of truth to all those rumours,” Franson said in a conference call with reporters. “For me it’s all rumours until the phone rings. . . . You try to avoid it as best you can.”
- James Mirtle: Was told over the weekend that the Maple Leafs and Cody Franson would settle on a deal in the $3.25 million range, with the same source saying that he would then be traded.
- Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post: Franson will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Maple Leafs could lose him for nothing if they don’t trade him or re-sign him before.
“There’s no reason why we couldn’t sign him during the year, or at the end of the year,” said Leafs general manager Dave Nonis. “Part of it is, if the player wants to be with you, it makes it a lot easier to reach a deal.”
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Staples wonders if the Oilers should look at Franson. Franson is a right handed shot, and the Oilers already have Jeff Petry, Justin Schultz and Mark Fayne. He could fit in if one of the previous three is moved to the left side or traded. His trade value should not be high. If the Oilers can’t find a No. 1 defensemen, bringing in guys like Franson or Blackhawks Johnny Oduya is not a bad thing. The Leafs may be asking too much for him.
