The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators for a 2015 first round pick, forward Brendan Leipsic and center Olli Jokinen.
The 27-year old Franson was drafted 79th overall in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft by the Predators. He is a pending UFA with a $3.3 million cap hit.
The 29-year old Santorelli was drafted 178th overall in the 6th round of the 2004 draft by the Predators. He’s a pending UFA with a $1.5 million cap hit.
The 20-year old Leipsic was drafted 89th overall in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft by the Predators.
The 36-year old Olli Jokinen was drafted 3rd overall in the 1997 draft by the Kings.
Our trade target post for Franson with profile, stats and performance charts can be found here.
12:45 pm:
Mike Zeisberger: “Nonis said he has been talking with #Predators GM David Poile for 2-3 weeks. #Leafs #Santorelli #Franson”
Mike Zeisberger: “Nonis: “We were looking at a bunch of different options… It was our goal to get as high a pick as possible and a good prospect.” #Leafs”
Mike Zeisberger: “Nonis on timing of trade: “You never know if you wait if it’s going to get better or it’s going to drop off.””
Rob Longley: “#Preds GM Poile on Santorelli’s appeal: “We (wanted) a proven forward who could move up and down lineup based on the situation.” #Leafs”
Rob Longley: “As suspected, Nonis acknowledges that Jokinen gives him another trade deadline card to deal.”
NHL Numbers: “Santorelli and Frason cost $4.8 million together, Jokinen costs $2.5, so the Leafs save $2.3 million in the deal”
12:05 pm:
Nick Kypreos: “Well before trade #Leafs did offer pending #UFA Franson a contract ext in ballpark of 14m over 3 yrs. Clearly not in his ballpark.”
Bob McKenzie: “Scouting report on Leipsic: Energy guy, small but hits hard, stirs the pot. He gets under opponents’ skin. Skilled offensively, good vision.”
Bob McKenzie: “Leipsic fits profile of TOR DPP Mark Hunter type of player: smart, skilled, competitive, not overly concerned about size. Call it LDN model.”
Bob McKenzie: “TOR-NSH trade easy to break down. TOR gets NSH 1st rd for Franson, which is very good price for rental. Santorelli for prospect Leipsic.”
Damien Cox: “Am sure Leafs don’t want Jokinen. Any time you’re dealing with NASH, money is a consideration. Poile does a magnificent job with this team.”
Corey Pronman: “Santorelli’s hard to pin down, but TOR as expected gets value as a seller at the deadline. NSH gives extra for potential playoff wins.”
Brendan Ross: “Leipsic is smaller but he’s got the tools to carve out an NHL role. Not overly concerned with his stature. Former WHL scoring champ. #Leafs”
Jonas Siegel: “Cody Franson says he “excited” to be going back to Nashville, but adds that it’s “tough to leave” Toronto. Says it’s been a “crazy day”.”
James Mirtle: “Preds GM David Poile: “Both Cody and Mike were drafted, developed and began their NHL careers here. They know our organization.”
Jim Matheson: “Preds badly want to finish 1st in Central so they don’t have to play Chi or St. Louis in round one so get jump with Franson-Santorelli.”
Pierre LeBrun: “Also worth noting no salary retained in Preds-Leafs deal”
Scott Wheeler: “Leipsic, despite his size, is having a great year in the AHL. Slick, feisty player with good speed. A better Kozun.”
Billy Jaffe: “Preds looking at low 1st pick in 2015 decided deal worth risk. Don’t blame them given Laviollette’s history of winning in 1st year as coach”
Bob Mckenzie: “TOR had to take Olli Jokinen’s contract back to help even out $ for NSH. TOR will now try to move Jokinen so full return yet to be seen.”
11:20 am:
Todd Cordell: “The Predators have a ridiculously good blue line. Jones, Weber, Josi, Franson, Ellis, Ekholm, Volchenkov? Good luck.”
James Mirtle: “Jokinen is a pending UFA with six points in 48 games. Maybe Leafs can get a seventh rounder for him at deadline but nothing to see there.”
Darren Dreger: ‘Leafs-Preds trade came together last night. Jokinen had to be moved as Nash needed to move $. Toronto will likely trade him as well.”
Shawn Roarke: “B. Leipsic, prospect going to TOR in the deal w/ NSH was 3rd-rnd pick in 2012. Small center (5-10, 177) but 35 pts so far in 1st AHL season”
David Pagnotta: “Our goal was to add a veteran D who could play in all situations & a proven F who could move up/down lineup based on the situation” – Poile
James Mirtle: “In summary: Not a bad trade for Leafs. Replacing Franson likely won’t be easy, given lack of RD out there, but doesn’t matter in tear down.”
Paul Hendrick: “Santorelli departure could enable return of Matt Frattin to Leafs. He has 15 goals in 30 games since being sent to the Marlies. #TMLtalk”
James Mirtle: “Franson was only going to net a first round pick, which he did. I’d rather have Leipsic than a second rounder, which was Santorelli’s value.”
Joe Haggerty: “Trading 1st rounders for rentals is always a bad idea RT @BrewsterBruins Haggs, steep price, but if you’re in win-now mode, do what it takes”
DJ Bean: “Wowowowow. Nashville doesn’t give up too much and gets a lot better. They’re so legit.”
David Pagnotta: “Leafs recently upped asking price to a 1st for Franson and a 2nd for Santorelli… Combined, they get a 1st, a former 3rd RD pick & a UFA”
Gary Lawless: “Leafs fans will love Leipsic. Small but driven and determined. Won’t take no for an answer. Fiesty.”
James Mirtle: “Franson and Santorelli were both pending UFAs who the Leafs weren’t willing to meet the price on. Their value was not that high.”
Brian Wilde: “First take after 5 seconds: horrible trade for the Leafs. Simply horrible.
Two useful NHL players for essentially a very late 1st.”
Paul Hendrick: “Leipsic led the CHL in scoring in 2012-13 at Portland with 120 pts. He will report to the Marlies. #TMLtalk”
Chris Johnston: “Olli Jokinen is a pending UFA earning $2.5M this year — so #leafs open about $2.3M in cap space. Plus the tear-down begins.”
Ben Raby: “Poor Olli Jokinen. More than 1200 career NHL games but only one playoff appearance in 17yrs. Today dealt from NHL-best #Preds to the #Leafs”
Draglikepull: “I wonder if acquiring Ollie Jokinen is a sign they think they’re going to move Bozak and want another centre available?”
Cody Franson
Mike Santorelli
Brendan Leipsic
Olli Jokinen
