The Toronto Maple Leafs have avoided arbitration with defenseman Cody Franson on Monday, with the two sides agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract as first reported by Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. The settlement has since been confirmed officially by the team.
The settlement falls $1.3 million above what the Toronto Maple Leafs were asking for at arbitration, and $900,000 below what Franson's camp was seeking; a tacit admission from the Maple Leafs that Franson's arbitration case was probably somewhat stronger.
The 26-year-old can still get burned out wide by attacking forwards, but is physical and productive offensively. The power-play ace finished 20th among all defenders in the NHL in points over the past two seasons. Upon the expiry of this one-year deal, Franson will be an unrestricted free agent.