Cody Franson says he’s open to signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs if he hits free agency after the 2014-15 NHL season.
Franson, who was dealt to the Nashville Predators along with Mike Santorelli on Sunday, told Sportsnet 590 The Fan after the deal that he treasured his time in Toronto and doesn’t rule out a possible return.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Franson said. “Obviously going to Nashville now puts me in a different situation. You go a team like that, and if things go well, you never know what can happen.
“If it does come down to that point, of me being ready to hit the open market, I’m definitely going to listen if Toronto is on the phone. I’ve always said this is a place I’d like to be and it is. If Toronto was in play, if that situation came up, I’d definitely listen.”
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Franson finds himself in a worst-to-first scenario, leaving the troubled Maple Leafs for the greener pastures of Nashville, which has been the toast of the NHL this season.
Originally drafted by Nashville in the 2005, Franson played his first two NHL seasons in the Music City, which is known more for its love of country and western tunes than hockey.
He knows the experience there will be a lot different than what he’s played through in Toronto. Dealing with the media, for example, will be a big change of pace.
“The big thing is, you come in after a practice in Nashville you might have three people in the room to do media, whereas in Toronto as of late, there’s been 30 or 40 people in the room to do interviews and all that other kind of stuff,” he said.
