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The Maple Leafs may have some drama over the summer months in re-signing their four unsigned restricted free agents. Forward Nazem Kadri indicated on Friday that negotiations between the club and his representatives are ongoing, as well as with defensemen Cody Franson, Mark Fraser and Carl Gunnarsson.
Both Fraser and Gunnarsson filed for salary arbitration and may sign a contract extension before the scheduled hearing and decision on their salary for the 2013-14 season, but unlike in previous years the club will not have the option to decline the arbitrator’s decision unless the salary is greater than $3.5 Million.
Franson was the only one of the three arbitration eligible RFA’s who did not file, which has raised questions about his future with the Leafs.
The 25 year old Sicamous, B.C. native struggled to earn ice time under former Leafs coach Ron Wilson and signed a one year, $1.2 Million deal after the end of the lockout. Franson became a favorite of coach Randy Carlyle, playing consistently on a pairing with Fraser and on the first power play unit with captain Dion Phaneuf.
Franson led the Leafs in defensive scoring with 29 points during the abbreviated regular season and was second in team scoring in the playoffs with six points, which included a two goal performance in Game 7 vs Boston.
The Leafs are slightly vulnerable to another team signing Franson to an offer sheet, which is still an open avenue since the blueliner did not choose to file for arbitration. If he had filed, the decision would have limited the awarding of a one year deal and prevented a long term extension.
The Leafs are likely to want to get Franson locked up for a long term deal, similar to the recent signings of Ryan McDonough, Roman Josi, Slava Voynov and Travis Hamonic, but a contract of five years or more could run upwards of $4 Million per season and with the salary cap decreasing to $64.3 Million, GM Dave Nonis may have to trade another veteran like Nikolai Kulemin, John-Michael Liles or Dion Phaneuf to open up more cap space.
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The influx of new players has created some reshuffling of jersey numbers for the Leafs. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier chose to wear #45, which he wore as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. Defenseman Mark Fraser will change from #45 to #2, which was last worn by Luke Schenn. #2 was the number that Fraser wore with the New Jersey Devils.
Winger David Clarkson was asked on Friday whether he would choose to wear #17, the number last worn by his idol Wendel Clark, but he declared his preference not to. Instead he will wear #71, which was last worn by Mike Foligno.
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Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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