NHL Rumors III: Smoke in Leafland – Bolland, Raymond and Franson

Mark Easson

10 years ago

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “The Leafs perspective on this is, why present an offer that chances are Bolland & his agent will sit on until free agency?” … “I think this will play out very similar to Bozak where they get into the real hard push of negotiating in the 11th hour” … “The Leafs are comfortable waiting to find that out. They want Bolland. I don’t think there is any question about that”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “You also have to look around the room at the other free agents. Raymond was a terrific find at a $1 million” … “I know that there has been no dialogue with Raymond’s group either to whether or not they want to re-sign him. I’m sure they would” … “Raymond isn’t going to play for $1 million. He’s going to be in that class of $2.5 to $3 plus” … “It’s not just Bolland, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in Toronto.”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “the Leafs are focused on re-signing Franson. Is he going to get a bump? Obviously he is. It’ll probably be in the $3s” … “I’m not sure what the term would be but there is a strong appetite to keep Franson in the fold” … “The Leafs are open to moving Franson if the offers sweeten between now and the draft” … “You have to look at the upside of Franson. What he brings offensively and defensively. The man’s a workhorse” … “There’s terrific interest in Franson around the game. Leading up to the trade deadline there were lots of calls coming in on him” … “That’s a pretty good indicator. When you have a player that other GMs are calling about & persistently looking for chances are you better do what you can to hold onto that player”