Toronto Maple Leafs Cody Franson Turned Down Multi-Year Contract Offer
Toronto Maple Leafs Cody Franson Turned Down Multi-Year Contract Offer
The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun contract negotiations with multiple players recently, and apparently defenseman Cody Franson has turned down the Leafs handsome contract offer.
Nov 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) follows through on a shot against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Capitals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
“There were negotiations recently with Cody Franson,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada’s “Headlines” segment Saturday.
“There was a multi-year deal on the table at about $4.6 million (average annual salary). That could not get it done.”
Friedman went on to say that nothing is final in terms of negotiations, but it is certainly worth noting in the short-term with the trade deadline fast approaching.
“I’m always hesitant to use the phrase ‘he turned down the offer’, ‘rejected the offer’ because I believe it’s a negotiation. It always goes back and forth, but at least in the short-term, that’s not going to get it done.”
If this report is indeed true, it partly explains why Franson’s name has been the centre of trade rumours recently.
With goalie Jonathan Bernier and forward Nazem Kadri up for new contracts this offseason, it is hard to imagine the Leafs can offer Franson much more than what they reportedly already have, especially given their tight salary cap situation.
Based on Friedman’s report, it seems fair to assume that Franson believes he is worth upwards of $5 million a season, which is probably outside of the Leafs’ salary cap range. Although keeping Franson would be nice, it seems very unlikely, particularly if the team can not create cap space before the March 2 trade deadline.
In the meantime, with the Leafs mired in a nine-game losing streak, speculating over the future of players like Franson has become more fun than actually watching the team play.