TORONTO (June 29) -- Just a quick note, hockeybuzzers: A contact has told me the Maple Leafs have completed the parameters of a contract extension with goalie Vesa Toskala, acquired last week with forward Mark Bell from the San Jose Sharks. The Leafs cannot announce the extension until July 1st (Sunday) at the earliest, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Details are sketchy but it could be a three-year deal. The monetary aspect of the extension will not count against the Leafs' salary cap figure in the coming season -- Toskala is under contract for 2007-08 at $1.375 million. Leafs' GM John Ferguson and Toskala's Winnipeg-based agent, Don Baizley, have worked quickly to put this deal in place.

It goes against my opinion of Ferguson waiting to be more certain of Toskala's aptitude in the Toronto hockey spotlight, but I suppose it's also worthwhile for the Maple Leafs to present the Finnish-born netminder an immediate show of confidence. Especially since it won't cost the club anything against the cap in Toskala's first year in blue and white.

If Toskala can play at the level he's displayed with the Sharks, he will be one of Ferguson's best acquisitions.

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