Franson signing spells cap trouble for Leafs

After re-signing Cody Franson to a one-year, $2-million deal on Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at some salary cap trouble.

According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com, the Franson signing puts the Leafs' payroll at $64.816-million with 23 players on roster, just slightly above the $64.3-million salary cap. 

The deadline for the Leafs to comply with the salary cap before facing penalties is Monday and it is possible the Leafs may be forced to trade some players to get under the cap, the most likely trade target being defenseman John-Michael Liles. The little-used defender (last year, at least) has three years left on a contract that carries a $3.875-million cap hit. Whether a team would take him on is another question altogether.

If the Leafs want to get under the cap without moving any players, they would have to begin the season with a thin roster due to David Clarkson's $5.25-million cap hit remaining on the books as the forward serves his 10-game suspension. 

Things are only going to get more complicated for the Leafs, because what would an NHL season be without things being complicated for the Leafs? Next offseason, the Leafs will have to deal with contracts for Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, James Reimer, Dave Bolland and Jake Gardiner. 

It's always sunny in Leaf land.