TORONTO – For the past two weeks, Cody Franson was living the life of a Ryerson Ram. Chri... Wondolowski USA Jersey . Two-hour skates, five times a week at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on the campus of the university in downtown Toronto. Early on Thursday morning, Franson swung by his temporary training camp home, grabbed his sticks and gear, completed a physical and by 11am had joined his NHL teammates at practice. The 26-year-old agreed to a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $2 million late on Wednesday evening, ending a difficult and lengthy negotiation. "Im glad its done," said a gleeful Franson, following the nearly two-hour on-ice session. "Its a process nobody really wants to go through. Fortunately, we were able to find a common ground and get it done before the regular season started." With his contract status finally settled, Franson will shift his focus toward demonstrating that a terrific sampling in 48 games last season – sixth among NHL defenders in points – was just a harbinger of things to come; prove his viability to the organization with another good year. The Leafs certainly believe in that potential, but want to see it demonstrated over the course of another 82 games. If proved right, theyll happily commit to the B.C. native for the long-term. "The second you get complacent is the second you make a mistake," Franson said of taking the next step. "I learned that firsthand my first year [in Toronto], coming in a little comfortable. I got put in the press box because of it. Ill never make that mistake twice." Franson proved increasingly valuable to the Leafs as the 2013 calendar wore on. A late addition to training camp – following a similarly stunted negotiation that was solved hours after the lockout ended – he started the year with minimal ice-time, drawing about 14 minutes nightly in January, before emerging with upwards of 22 minutes a few months later in April. It was a demonstration which suggested he was capable of becoming a dependable top-4 NHL defender, both in the present and in the future. "When you get people that are developing and [having] more of an impact on your blue-line, you have to credit the player with that," Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said of Franson, who found a partner in Mark Fraser five games into the season. "Hes the one that earned it." Not only did his offensive incline come to the forefront, but he also made adjustments defensively, aligning with the Carlyle way with a more assertive and aggressive defensive lean. "What he did is he committed more to a physical game which allowed him a little bit more space," Carlyle said of the 6-5 defender, adding that Franson, as a right-hand shot, was increasingly valuable on a defence chock-full of lefties. Realizing more of that potential, through continued growth defensively and sustained success offensively, will be the challenge of the coming year. As can often be the case in restricted free agency, Franson was stung by the process, believing that he deserved more than the organization chose to offer in negotiations throughout the summer. But with the cap falling to $64 million this season, he also came to understand that the annual number he sought over a longer term was not going to be realized, thus his insistence on a one-year deal with more to come down the line. The two sides found "middle ground" at the final pressure point (arbitration and the start of training camp flying by with no movement) when the club moved on the term of the deal – they strongly preferred two years – and Franson budged by accepting an annual number below market value. "I think both sides gave in a little bit," said Leafs assistant general manager Claude Loiselle. By following up on his breakthrough year with more of the same this season, Franson has his sights on a bigger payday next summer – the Leafs have 12 players in a similar boat, their contracts expiring after the coming season – though he will again remain a restricted free agent, albeit with arbitration rights. "One year was important to us," he told TSN.ca via text message early Thursday morning. "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." Achieving that middle ground was not without its frustrations, both for the player and the organization. Easier said than done is not absorbing the negotiation as a personal afront, something Franson had his trouble with it as the process lingered. Ending his dispute with the Leafs shortly before training camp was due to begin, Nazem Kadri could sympathize with the struggle. "Its hard to [not take it personally] because when youre negotiating your deals, youve got to look at numbers and youve got to have comparisons and sometimes you may not like the comparisons, but the numbers match up," Kadri told TSN.ca. "Its just business really. Thats what Ive learned. I know it can maybe turn into a personal issue, but normally the player is just looking out for whats best for him and the team is looking out for whats best for them. Everyone just wants to make a deal in the end." "At the end of it, you sit back and you look at it and you realize its just business," Franson reflected. "Theyve got a job to do and that is to try and make everything work [under the cap]. I understand that. This is where I want to be. This is my dream place to play. Im hopeful that its a long-term deal coming up after this." For now, with Franson finally locked up, the Leafs find themselves in a cap squeeze, the roster requiring some carving and a degree of sculpting before opening day next week. Almost certainly, they will not be able to carry the roster maximum of 23 players, hurt by the 10-game suspension to David Clarkson and the uncertain status of Frazer McLaren, who could be placed on long-term injured reserve (finger injury) to offer a little wiggle room. "Its still the same situation as if Cody had signed at the beginning of camp," Loiselle said. "Were still evaluating. We still have two games left and well see how it shakes out." Paired with Fraser throughout his first practice – Jake Gardiner remains an option additionally as a partner, the two paired together late in the playoffs – Franson will likely play in both of the remaining exhibition games this weekend, a home and home set with Detroit. Though he enjoyed a brief and albeit unwanted experience at Ryerson, Franson was just pleased to be back in the routine of his NHL life, ready to take the next step forward – both personally and with his team. "I love being here in Toronto," he concluded. "This is where I want to be and thats the main reason why everything happened. Im happy its done and looking forward to getting going." . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. [url=http://www.officialmlbclub.com/Toronto-Blue-Jays-Munenori-Kawasaki-Jersey.h... Kawasaki Blue Jays Jersey . It is not as though the returning players are about to take over the club, but the midfielders goal in a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC last Saturday at Olympic Stadium was a happy moment for the group that played last season in the North American Soccer League, which is rated as second division. http... . Murdochs Aberdeen rink beat Rasmus Stjerne of Denmark 7-6 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. [url=http://www.officialmlbclub.com/Atlanta-Braves-B-J-Upton-Jersey.html]B.J. Upton Jersey . Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will take on top contender Junior Dos Santos in front of the crowd at Rogers Arena, according to a report by MMAjunkie. David Krejci Bruins Jersey Canada . But it got the job done, and thats the only thing that mattered to Mike Dunleavy and the Chicago Bulls.DALLAS - Gersson Rosas resigned as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, just three months into his new job. Rosas was hired Aug. 1 to fill a position that had been vacant since former coach and GM Don Nelson left the franchise eight years ago. Most of those duties fell to Nelsons son, Donnie, the president of basketball operations. Dallas owner Mark Cuban asked the younger Nelson to find an addition for the front office with stronger organizational skills, and Nelson came back with Rosas, who had been an assistant to general manager Daryl Morey in Houston. The 35-year-old Rosas, who reported to Nelson, said in a statement issued by the team that the job "was not the best fit for me at this point in my career." "The decision was made solely by me, as I firmly believe this change is in my best interest," Rosas said. "Mark Cuban asked me to reconsider my decision, but graciously accepted my decision and we partt as friends. B... Hamilton Reds Jersey. " Rosas, a native of Colombia, spent nine years with the Rockets, rising from an intern to vice-president of basketball operations. He played a role in shaping the roster for a Houston franchise that beat out the Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta in the pursuit of free agent centre Dwight Howard. Rosas also spent time as general manager of the Rio Grande Vipers, the Rockets developmental team. A decade ago, he was a graduate assistant with the University of Houston mens team. He was also a basketball co-ordinator for the Venezuelan national team at the 2002 world championships. "I was disappointed when Gersson told me of his decision, but I understand and all of us wish him the best," Cuban said. Rosas didnt return a call from The Associated Press seeking further comment, and Cuban didnt respond to an email. The Mavericks open the season Wednesday night at home against Atlanta. ' ' '