Alles Andere » optimism that a resolution would come to

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. Cheap Adidas Superstar China .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. Discount Adidas Superstar .com) - Colorado may be ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference standings, but they are a club that the Avalanche may want to avoid in the playoffs. http://www.cheapadidassuperstar.com/ . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. Adidas Superstar Cheap China . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. Cheap Adidas Superstar .C. United have acquired midfielder Alex Caskey from the Seattle Sounders for a third-round pick in the 2016 MLS draft.BALTIMORE -- Left-handed reliever Troy Patton returned from his 25-game suspension Thursday, part of a roster shuffle by the Baltimore Orioles that included the activation of Manny Machado from the 15-day disabled list. Patton was placed on the restricted list testing positive for a banned amphetamine. Patton took Adderall, a drug commonly used to combat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, late in the 2013 season and then was given a random drug test. The suspension cost him $174,180 of his $1,275,000 salary. Patton went 2-0 with a 3.70 ERA in a career-high 56 appearances for the Orioles last year. He made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Patton, the Orioles sent reliever Josh Stinson outright to Norfolk. Machado hadnt played since left knee surgery on Oct. 14. The third baseman was not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against Pittsburgh on Thursday, but manager Buck Showalter said Machado would start in the nightcap. Machado was poised to return Tuesday, but rain postponed Baltimores game against the Pirates. The same thing happened Wednesday, creating the need for a single-admission doubleheader. "Manny wasnt going to play 18 innings first day back from rehab," Showalter said. "We could have waited to activate him, but we would use him in the first game if the right situation presented itself." The 21-year-oldd Machado takes the roster spot vacated by first baseman Chris Davis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained left oblique.dddddddddddd Davis had a platelet rich plasma injection on Monday. "What they do is they draw your own blood and spin it, then they take the platelets and inject them back into your body," Davis said. "Its supposed to speed up the healing process and take the place of a cortisone shot." Davis believes the treatment was having the desired effect. "I had (the shot) on Monday. It was pretty painful," he said. "Tuesday I was sore and Wednesday I was sore. Today I feel better. Hopefully I am recovering and it will heal." Davis led the majors last year with 53 homers and 138 RBIs. Hes gotten off to a slow start this season -- he has only two home runs -- but hopes to return soon to add to the total. "I got off to my hottest start ever last year so there was a lot of excitement," he said. "I knew it was probably not going to happen again. But I felt like I was getting good at-bats and making things happen." Also Thursday, the Orioles optioned infielder Steve Lombardozzi to Norfolk to make room for first baseman Steve Pearce, who was signed to a major league contract Tuesday after being designated for assignment last week. Lombardozzi batted .292 in 19 games this season. ' ' '