The negotiations (or lack thereof) between the Toronto Maple Leafs and restricted free agent Cody Franson have reached the point where the defenseman is considering returning to Europe for the 2013-14 season.
According to Sportsnet’s
Chris Johnston , the 26-year-old blueliner’s first choice would be to re-sign with Toronto, but if the two sides remain at an impasse going into the regular season, then finding a spot in the KHL, Switzerland or Sweden may be his only option.
“I haven’t explored (playing in Europe) but I know that’s definitely something I might have to consider,” Franson said on Friday after skating with Ryerson University’s hockey team. “Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but it’s not like I haven’t been over there before.”
Various reports indicate that the Leafs are insisting on a two-year deal and are offering in the neighborhood of $5 Million, while Franson is asking for a one-year deal around $3 Million. Leafs GM Dave Nonis is looking for cost certainty from his highest scoring defenseman for the 2014-15 season, as Dion Phaneuf, Jake Gardiner, Paul Ranger and Mark Fraser’s contracts expire at the end of 2013-14, but Franson’s desire for a one-year deal could lead to a financial windfall if he has another good offensive year and files for salary arbitration.
The option of playing in Europe is not out of the question, since Franson played 26 games for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League last season during the NHL lockout, but it is likely being floated because it is the only threat he can make. The Leafs are not likely to trade the blueliner and an offer sheet from another NHL team is a long shot.
Franson would be hard pressed to earn anywhere close to the $1.2 Million he made with the Leafs last season from a European club team and his rights would still be owned by Toronto until the end of the 2014-15 season.
The likely outcome of this showdown is a compromise two-year deal, for an amount closer to $3 Million per season, but as of right now the Leafs are preparing for the season with the current crop of blueliners and without Franson.
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Toronto will play the first of a home-and-home series against the division rival Buffalo Sabres tonight at the First Niagara Center. James Reimer is expected to play the entire 60 minutes for the Leafs and Jhonas Enroth will start for Buffalo.
According to Coach Randy Carlyle, winger Joffrey Lupul could see action this weekend against Buffalo after participating in a full practice with the team on Friday.
Here is Toronto 's lineup against Buffalo, as per Leafs TV’s Paul Hendrick:
Mason Raymond-Tyler Bozak-Phil Kessel
David Broll-Dave Bolland-Nikolai Kulemin
Carter Ashton-Joe Colborne-Troy Bodie
Trevor Smith-Jay McClement-Jamie Devane
Dion Phaneuf-Carl Gunnarsson
Paul Ranger-Jake Gardiner
Stuart Percy-Mark Fraser
James Reimer
Drew MacIntyre
Rookie defenseman Morgan Rielly will not be in the lineup for the first time this pre-season. The 19-year-old assisted on Dave Bolland's game-winning goal on Thursday night, playing arguably his best game.
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