sure is ...I had a burger with a 1lb patty, layered with brisket, bacon, three types of cheeses and a big ol onion ring covered in bbq sauce and topings

...yeah, it was damn good.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Just opened in my town. Went there for the first time Friday night and had the Kamikaze with Poutine and a beer of course, then a chocalate milk shake to go. DELICIOUS!

I agree..he skates well, moves the puck well, has a strong awareness...but wasnt overly physical out there.

Also - was Rielly hurt? I must have missed something...
- Colin Dambrauskas

No...just sitting out.

trade franson for picks/prospects, sign hainsey.

not endorsing it, but a plausible scenario.
- doinktheclown

honestly? i think he leaves as soon as he can. he must be getting tired of being jerked around (and no matter which side of the argument you stand on i guarantee thats how his camp feels)

honestly? i think he leaves as soon as he can. he must be getting tired of being jerked around (and no matter which side of the argument you stand on i guarantee thats how his camp feels)
- Dozzer

Not sure what the deal is with Franson. This has to be a case of us not knowing the whole story. What does the guy have to do, or is it simply that fact the Leafs can and will exercise their advantage over RFA status players even if there could be long term risk. Probably just business.

Not sure what the deal is with Franson. This has to be a case of us not knowing the whole story. What does the guy have to do, or is it simply that fact the Leafs can and will exercise their advantage over RFA status players even if there could be long term risk. Probably just business.
- Woderwick

franson has shown flashes but not consistency. he still isnt great defensively (getting better but not great yet)

still not the most mobile skater.. has a great release to his shot and thats how he generates most of his production.

a good release is not worth a couple additional million. i'm with the leafs on this one.

franson has shown flashes but not consistency. he still isnt great defensively (getting better but not great yet)

still not the most mobile skater.. has a great release to his shot and thats how he generates most of his production.

a good release is not worth a couple additional million. i'm with the leafs on this one.
- Dozzer

thing I noticed with Franson last year was his improvement in the physical department. Seemed meaner out there which is good...but yeah, hes still got some work to do in his own end.

honestly? i think he leaves as soon as he can. he must be getting tired of being jerked around (and no matter which side of the argument you stand on i guarantee thats how his camp feels)
- Dozzer

So many guys are being squeezed by the 2013/14 cap; Franson $4m x 4 (or longer) would be a pretty good deal if there was space. Hopefully he recognizes that he's not being jerked around due to ability or desire to have him on the team, rather the situation many teams are in at this juncture. 1 yr deal max for him to retain RFA control is required though...

thing I noticed with Franson last year was his improvement in the physical department. Seemed meaner out there which is good...but yeah, hes still got some work to do in his own end.
- Colin Dambrauskas

This is a really good point - he stepped up in the postseason big time and added that dimension to his game. Definitely a keeper...

Not sure what the deal is with Franson. This has to be a case of us not knowing the whole story. What does the guy have to do, or is it simply that fact the Leafs can and will exercise their advantage over RFA status players even if there could be long term risk. Probably just business.
- Woderwick

that's a pathetic way to do business. plus, the Leafs signed Gunnarsson as an RFA so it's not their MO. i think, given his age/service time/production, Franson justifiably expects a reasonable long term commitment, and is not interested in a "prove it" deal. he's already proven himself a solid player. i think the Leafs have already resigned themselves to the fact that he's gone, because they likely can't afford to pay him the $3.5-4 million he's likely after, once they sign Kadri. so really, there's no rush for Toronto on the Franson front. any trade return would be picks or prospects anyway. but IMO, Franson is as good as gone.

thing I noticed with Franson last year was his improvement in the physical department. Seemed meaner out there which is good...but yeah, hes still got some work to do in his own end.
- Colin Dambrauskas

i've seen a lot of posts from Leaf fans this summer saying the exact opposite.

This is a really good point - he stepped up in the postseason big time and added that dimension to his game. Definitely a keeper...
- Deeps27

Thing about this Raymond PTO for me is that it doenst really make sense...theres no bloody way they can sign Raymond even if they like him with Kadri and Franson still needing cash. Even at 1M it would be tough.

i've seen a lot of posts from Leaf fans this summer saying the exact opposite.
- scotch_tape

Ive seen a lot of posts from leafs fans this summer which suggested that Bozak was a better overall centerman than Grabovski, too

Thing about this Raymond PTO for me is that it doenst really make sense...theres no bloody way they can sign Raymond even if they like him with Kadri and Franson still needing cash. Even at 1M it would be tough.
- Colin Dambrauskas

lots of options at the bottom of a lineup. Leafs could waive a guy like McLaren, trade another guy. injuries could hit.

that's a pathetic way to do business. plus, the Leafs signed Gunnarsson as an RFA so it's not their MO. i think, given his age/service time/production, Franson justifiably expects a reasonable long term commitment, and is not interested in a "prove it" deal. he's already proven himself a solid player. i think the Leafs have already resigned themselves to the fact that he's gone, because they likely can't afford to pay him the $3.5-4 million he's likely after, once they sign Kadri. so really, there's no rush for Toronto on the Franson front. any trade return would be picks or prospects anyway. but IMO, Franson is as good as gone.
- scotch_tape

It is and it isn't...I think we think too much of whether a players feelings may be hurt. These are big boys - this part of the business is't fun, but none of these contractual situations are unique and not all players get pissed and want out because they don't get what they want. The shortened season just makes for a tougher year to guage where negotiations with RFA's will go. Franson's first year with the Leafs was nothing to write home about, so each side has some ammo.

that's a pathetic way to do business. plus, the Leafs signed Gunnarsson as an RFA so it's not their MO. i think, given his age/service time/production, Franson justifiably expects a reasonable long term commitment, and is not interested in a "prove it" deal. he's already proven himself a solid player. i think the Leafs have already resigned themselves to the fact that he's gone, because they likely can't afford to pay him the $3.5-4 million he's likely after, once they sign Kadri. so really, there's no rush for Toronto on the Franson front. any trade return would be picks or prospects anyway. but IMO, Franson is as good as gone.
- scotch_tape

Leafs have 4.8M (there abouts) in cap space. If they move Liles or at least 2M worth of his 3.875M they can sign both. Kadri is not getting 3M+ for a two year bridge deal.

that's a pathetic way to do business. plus, the Leafs signed Gunnarsson as an RFA so it's not their MO. i think, given his age/service time/production, Franson justifiably expects a reasonable long term commitment, and is not interested in a "prove it" deal. he's already proven himself a solid player. i think the Leafs have already resigned themselves to the fact that he's gone, because they likely can't afford to pay him the $3.5-4 million he's likely after, once they sign Kadri. so really, there's no rush for Toronto on the Franson front. any trade return would be picks or prospects anyway. but IMO, Franson is as good as gone.
- scotch_tape

Has he? He`s had 1 good half season. We signed JML to his current contract after one good half season. Nonis is in the right, players don`t deserve big years at big money after only showing they can play for half a season. Besides most NHL teams are either at the cap or at their spending limit, so i wouldn`t expect to see offers from other clubs unless long term injuries pile up.

Thing about this Raymond PTO for me is that it doenst really make sense...theres no bloody way they can sign Raymond even if they like him with Kadri and Franson still needing cash. Even at 1M it would be tough.
- Colin Dambrauskas

trade coming to free up cap space or...

raymond plays with the marlies. free to sign elsewhere if the marlies don't float his boat.

Leafs have 4.8M (there abouts) in cap space. If they move Liles or at least 2M worth of his 3.875M they can sign both. Kadri is not getting 3M+ for a two year bridge deal.
- Colin Dambrauskas

One year deals could help solve the problem as well. Sucks to be an RFA on a capped out team this year, but thems the breaks. At least they know this team will spend to the cap max, which could offer light at then end of the tunnel down the road. He could be playing for the Islanders.

trade coming to free up cap space or...

raymond plays with the marlies. free to sign elsewhere if the marlies don't float his boat.
- doinktheclown

If it is for insurance, then why not promote current Marlies for an injury or contractual issue. I'm happy the Leafs shed all the AHL vets and have decided to develop their youth - makes no sense to use a Marlie spot to store Raymond in case of an injury. IMO - he either makes the Leafs or he moves on.

Franson and Liles for Justin Schultz

Franson and Liles for Justin Schultz
- As_I_See_It

gasp

So many guys are being squeezed by the 2013/14 cap; Franson $4m x 4 (or longer) would be a pretty good deal if there was space. Hopefully he recognizes that he's not being jerked around due to ability or desire to have him on the team, rather the situation many teams are in at this juncture. 1 yr deal max for him to retain RFA control is required though...
- Deeps27

pretty sure if franson signs for one year he goes UFA

that's a pathetic way to do business. plus, the Leafs signed Gunnarsson as an RFA so it's not their MO. i think, given his age/service time/production, Franson justifiably expects a reasonable long term commitment, and is not interested in a "prove it" deal. he's already proven himself a solid player. i think the Leafs have already resigned themselves to the fact that he's gone, because they likely can't afford to pay him the $3.5-4 million he's likely after, once they sign Kadri. so really, there's no rush for Toronto on the Franson front. any trade return would be picks or prospects anyway. but IMO, Franson is as good as gone.
- scotch_tape

no.. he really hasnt

he's proven himself to be inconsistent defensively with some flashes of offense

he hasnt proven jack all

Has he? He`s had 1 good half season. We signed JML to his current contract after one good half season. Nonis is in the right, players don`t deserve big years at big money after only showing they can play for half a season. Besides most NHL teams are either at the cap or at their spending limit, so i wouldn`t expect to see offers from other clubs unless long term injuries pile up.
- ky678468

he's played 4 years in the NHL after 2 years in the AHL. he's a veteran top-4 dman. there's a going rate for those guys and it falls into the 3.5-4 million range.

no.. he really hasnt

he's proven himself to be inconsistent defensively with some flashes of offense

he hasnt proven jack all
- Dozzer

so leading the team in D scoring proves nothing? Phaneuf is inconsistent defensively. a lot of veteran players are.