The Leafs have signed restricted free agent Cody Franson to a one year deal worth $1.2 Million.
The 25 year old Franson scored five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 57 games with the Leafs last season.
TSN's Bob McKenzie just tweeted about 8pm that the Leafs have signed veteran defenseman Mike Mottau to a two way, one year, $850,000 deal. Mottau split time between the NY Islanders and Boston last season, scoring two assists in 35 games.
This signing could mean that Franson or another defenseman could be involved in a trade that will occur after the CBA is signed, sealed and delivered, or it could mean that the Leafs are concerned about the health of Jake Gardiner enough to sign a depth defenseman. It also could mean that blueliners like Mike Kostka, Mark Fraser and Korbinian Holzer are not judged as being ready for the NHL, Paul Ranger did not want to sign an NHL contract or that they prefer to send 18 year old Morgan Rielly back to Moose Jaw in the WHL.
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Will elaborate more later, but the Brian Burke press conference was a tour de force and a fitting conclusion to his tenure in Toronto. He put the onus on the owners to give an explanation of why he had been fired, because to his mind, they did not give him an adequate explanation.
He also took the opportunity to blast one of his most outspoken critics, Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons. After Simmons asked a question about his possibly running the US Olympic program for the Sochi games in 2014, he said "ask them" and then shot back "The best part of today is that I don't have to talk to you again Steve"
Part One of Burke's press conference:
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It is expected that the NHL regular season schedule will be released sometime this afternoon. As soon as it is, it will be posted here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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