Montreal Canadiens' Brandon Prust (8) grabs Toronto Maple Leafs' Mark Fraser (45) during first period NHL action in Montreal, February 9, 2013.CHRISTINNE MUSCHI/Reuters
The Maple Leafs have avoided arbitration with Mark Fraser and signed the defenceman to a one-year deal.
Fraser's deal is reportedly worth $1.275-million, in between what the two sides were requesting if the case went to an arbitration hearing.
The 26-year-old had eight assists and a NHL defenceman-leading 85 penalty minutes in 45 games this past season. He appeared in four of Toronto's seven first-round playoff games.
With Fraser signed, the only restricted free agents the Maple Leafs have left to deal with are centre Nazem Kadri and defenceman Cody Franson. General manager Dave Nonis said last week it wasn't a "red flag" that those players needed new deals and did not anticipate a problem signing them.
In 143 NHL games, Fraser has three goals, 13 assists in 171 penalty minutes. The Maple Leafs originally acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks in February 2012 in exchange for Dale Mitchell.