The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed defenceman Carl Gunnarsson to a three-year, $9.45-million deal Monday, according to Hockey Central insider Nick Kypreos.
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Gunnarsson, who was a restricted free agent, has been a staple on the Leafs’ top defensive pair the last two seasons.
The 26-year-old scored one goal, 14 assists, and had a plus-5 rating in 37 games last season.
Toronto originally drafted the Swedish blueliner in the seventh round (No. 194 overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft.
With Gunnarsson locked up, the Leafs will turn their sights to forward Nazem Kadri and defenceman Cody Franson – who are both currently restricted free agents.
NOTES: In other Leafs news, the club announced an affiliation (shared with the Minnesota Wild) with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears on Monday.
“The Leafs are extremely pleased to have the Orlando Solar Bears as our new ECHL affiliate,” GM Dave Nonis said in a statement. “Our organization feels that Orlando will be a terrific environment for our prospects to continue their hockey development.”
