NHL News

NY Rangers - Center Derek Stepan have reached an agreement on a two-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but reports indicate it pays Stepan $6.15 million. Stepan, who was a restricted free agent, had been sitting out training camp as contract negotiations with the Rangers were ongoing. He led the Rangers in scoring last season with 26 assists, 44 points and a plus-25 rating in 48 games. Stepan, 23, has not missed a game in three seasons with the Rangers. He has 140 points on 56 goals and 84 assists in 212 games.

Toronto - The Maple Leafs and defenseman Cody Franson have reached agreement in terms for a one-year contract. The deal, according to reports, is worth $2 million. Franson, a restricted free agent, had been sitting out of training camp. The one-year contract allows Franson, 26, to be eligible for salary arbitration next summer. He declined to file for salary arbitration during this past summer. Franson will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in two seasons. The deal appears to be a compromise as the Leafs were looking for longer term during the negotiations and Franson's camp wanted more money annually. Franson led all Maple Leafs' defensemen last season with 29 points, which was tied for sixth among all NHL defensemen. He was fourth among all NHL defensemen with 25 assists. Franson played regularly in Toronto's top four and also saw key time on the power play.

"One year was important to us,” Franson told TSN via text message. "With the current cap situation a two-year deal was very difficult to get at what we felt was fair. A one-year [deal] was the most reasonable way for us to find a middle ground. I want to keep progressing from last year, take on a bigger role, be a consistent go-to guy, and be more productive in all areas of the game."

The signing of Franson, as well as the recent signing of forward Mason Raymond, will likely put the Maple Leafs in a bit of a salary cap bind until further roster moves can be made. Toronto's cap situation is further complicated by the suspension of star forward David Clarkson, who is ruled out for the first 10 games after leaving the bench to join an altercation during a preseason game earlier that week. Clarkson's salary during that time counts against the Maple Leafs' cap. It also presents a possibly interesting dilemma for general manager Dave Nonis this summer as the Maple Leafs could have five defensemen on expiring deals this season. Franson, Paul Ranger, Mark Fraser, Jake Gardiner and team captain Dion Phaneuf are all in the final years of their current contracts.