It looks like Brendan Shanahan has officially fired up his leaf blower and gotten to work cleaning house in Toronto. Early this morning the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Olli Jokinen, Nashville's 3rd pick in 2012 Brendan Leipsic, and Nashville's 1st round pick in the 2015 draft. Both Franson and Santorell are headed home, where they played the first two years of their careers, meanwhile, Olli Jokinen will play for the 9th new franchise of his 17 year NHL career. Here's all that straight from the horses mouth:
The @MapleLeafs have acquired Nashville's first round pick in 2015 along with Brendan Leipsic and Olli Jokinen #TMLtalk (1/2)
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 15, 2015
In exchange for defenceman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli #TMLtalk (2/2)
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 15, 2015
There had been some speculation that the Avalanche would look at the 27 year old defenseman Franson, but if Toronto was looking for the 1st round pick they acquired from Nashville, then his price was likely too high for Colorado's taste. Franson is an upcoming UFA, however, and could be available again this summer if Nashville lets him walk.
More interesting than the trade itself, is the way that two major trades this week are beginning to shape the market for March 2nd. With Cody Franson gone, and the asking price for NHL defenseman rising, maybe the Avalanche could get a little more for Jan Hejda than we bargained for...