Predators' Franson on being UFA this summer: 'I'm hopeful Toronto is in the mix'

Home is where the heart is.

After being traded to the Nashville Predators ahead of the trade deadline, defenseman Cody Franson is hopeful that his former team comes knocking.

Franson also suggested that the hiring of new head coach Mike Babcock makes the team appealing to free agents.

"I definitely thinks it makes them more interesting, more intriguing to free agents," Franson told TSN 1050.

Franson was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs along with forward Mike Santorelli in exchange for a first-round pick, Olli Jokinen, and prospect Brendan Leipsic.

The 27-year-old had six goals and 32 points in 55 games with the Maple Leafs during the regular season, but added just one goal and four points in 23 games with the Predators.