Cody Franson would like to have been with his teammates when they took to the ice for the first time this week, but instead the 26-year-old restricted free agent remains unsigned with training camp set to roll on. In a statement delivered exclusively to TSN.ca Thursday evening, Franson expressed optimism that a resolution would come to pass in the very near future. "I really like playing in Toronto,” he said. “I think we have a great team and we have some unfinished business to take care of. I learned a lot from the coaches last year and felt like my game took a step forward. I understand the cap situation this team faces and have been ready to sign a one-year deal for some time. I hope this gets worked out soon so I can get back on the ice with my teammates" Franson wants to remain in Toronto and the Leafs would like to keep him, believing in his promise as an eventual top-4 defender. But the two sides are entrenched in entirely different terms on a contract. Though he would not discuss actual figures for the negotiation, Franson is believed to be open to a one-year deal worth $3 million – cognizant of the cap coming down this year – a number that would seem to fall below his perceived value following a career year in 2013. The Leafs however, are not inclined to sign him to a one-year deal under any circumstance, seeing no benefit to such an outcome while faced with the prospect of an even more challenging negotiation next summer if Franson were to produce another strong year this season. Instead, the Leafs are believed to prefer two years at what they would contend is a fair number for both sides, thereby bringing the B.C. native to the gates of unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2015. If Franson were to reach expectations under such a scenario, its conceivable that the organization could extend him long-term after just a year. Such an offer though does not appear to interest Franson, who endured a similarly difficult negotiation last winter, acquiescing to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million on the eve of training camp. Franson had the best season of his four-year NHL career in the lockout-shortened 2013, finishing amongst the league leaders at his position with 29 points in 45 games, adding three goals and six points in the playoffs. But while he offered plenty of promise as a top-4 defender – his ice-time increasing from less than 14 minutes in January to upwards of 22 in April – the Leafs are not sure hes there yet and would like to see him continue to progress in such a direction before they pay him as such. As is the way with restricted free agency, leverage is in their corner. “I understand his position,” Leafs general manager Dave Nonis said at a press conference on Wednesday. “He doesnt feel that this is fair. We want him signed, Id like to have Cody at camp, but hes not here and we just have to move forward with the group we have.” Franson has and had limited options, one of which was arbitration, a direction he opted not to take, possibly out of concern that certain variables of the case (his minutes per game, for example) could skew the award. Another option is the seldom-used offer sheet; Carolina believed to be mulling such an avenue before ultimately signing Ron Hainsey to a one-year deal on Thursday afternoon. Beyond that, the player has little power beyond standing firm and remaining off the ice and out of camp, an approach P.K. Subban took without much success in Montreal last winter. There is of course danger to such a direction. Believing his offer is fair, Nonis could lose patience with the process and squeeze Franson further with a longer deal at an even lower number. With no control, other than to sit out or attempt to force a trade, Franson would be forced to absorb such a blow. Frustration is evident for both sides in this negotiation. Franson isnt inclined to remain off the ice and wants to stay in Toronto, but also wants the value he deems to be fair and is willing to hold tight to get it. The Leafs similarly want to keep Franson and believe in his potential, but wont go for one year and wont stray higher than what they would contend is a suitable amount at two year. Thus the impasse remains. Marquise Brown Ravens Jersey .Y. -- Cory Schneider has to make the most of his opportunities to guard the New Jersey Devils net to earn more playing time. Justin Tucker Ravens Jersey .com) - Will Conant booted a 39-yard field goal as time expired and Air Force played spoiler with a 27-24 win over 21st- ranked Colorado State on Friday. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Iman-Marshall-Jersey/ .com) - Tony Parker scored 17 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a comfortable 99-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Hayden Hurst Jersey .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes used a strong third period to extend their winning streak to three games. Joe Flacco Jersey .com) - The top spot in the AFC South will be on the line when Houston native Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts shoot for their fourth straight win when they take on the Texans at NRG Stadium.TORONTO - Under interim coach Peter Horachek, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a conundrum. The defensive inconsistency that cost Randy Carlyle his job is mostly gone, but at the same time the goals have disappeared.When you think about it, if youre playing better defensively and youre giving up less chances, youre thinking youre going to be in a better position, Horachek said.Youd think that, but the Leafs have scored just seven goals during an embarrassing 0-7-1 slide, including just five at even strength. It has become a baffling stretch of a season thats beginning to look all too much like — to quote former Leafs GM Brian Burke — an 18-wheeler going off a cliff.If youre getting the same number of chances as we were when we were not playing as well defensively, you would think that the message should be: Just finish your chances, Horachek said after Thursdays 3-1 loss to the Coyotes. Because were not getting less chances, were getting the same number of chances.Injuries have played a role, but now that Joffrey Lupul is back and only captain Dion Phaneuf is missing, its no longer a valid excuse.Lupul returned Thursday night against Arizona after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury. Forced to watch a lot of bad hockey, the winger saw improvement at one end of the ice but not much to show for it at the other.Our team game looks better, but individually were struggling to make the big play at the critical time, Lupul said. Were doing some things right, but obviously youve got to score goals.Phil Kessel scored his 20th of the season against Arizona, but it was also his first at even strength in 19 games dating to Dec. 16.Hopefully I can get going, Kessel said. Its frustrating right now.Kessel said he wasnt sure if his goal might jump-start the offence going into Saturdays game at the Philadelphia Flyers, the first of three straight on the road. As a team, hes not quite sure what the Leafs have to do to score.Youve got to bury it, right? Kessel said. I think weve got to get more bodies to the net and create more secondary chances. Get a break, once in a while. Get a good bounce. We dont seem to be getting them.ddddddddddddBad bounces are bothering the bewildered Leafs, but its more than that. Theyve struggled to score since Horachek arrived preaching a more defensively responsible style.Changing systems on the fly is guaranteed to cause some stumbling, but 14 goals in 10 games and only one victory to show for isnt what management wanted to see after firing Carlyle.Perhaps this should have been expected. When the Capitals visited for Horacheks debut, his friend and mentor Barry Trotz offered some thoughts on what happens early in a transition like this, similar to the one he made in Washington months ago.Theres growing pains because youre going to play really well, and even if youre playing well defensively you might not get the wins, Trotz said. You always get tested how far youre going to come off the rail, if you will, to have balance in your game.Balance has been difficult for the Leafs to find. Progress is being measured in tiny increments.In Wednesdays shootout loss at the New Jersey Devils, Horachek was glad his team didnt give up a first-period goal — which had been a trend — and didnt have to play catch-up. He was also satisfied with the quality of scoring chances.Were getting chances from the A areas, Horachek said. We have to spend more time in those areas, whatever you want to call it, the lions den, the house, and get more people in those areas.Sometimes when the goals arent going in, you have to get more of a greasy goal, youre going to have to get more of an ugly goal. Pucks are going (to have) to have more traffic and people slapping in a rebound or going off a skate and youre going to have to find ways to get it in.These Leafs are built more to score on the rush than from the side of the net. With goals hard to come by from anywhere, Lupul said that after a while Im sure guys lose their confidence.Horachek is trying to keep confidence up.You have to take solace in that and say, OK, its moving in the right direction, he said. Were going to stay course, believe in what were doing and hopefully things will be more favourable.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '
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