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Fraser, Leafs agree to one-year, $1.28 million contract

Toronto Maple Leafs v Boston Bruins - Game One

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: Mark Fraser #45 of the Toronto Maple Leafs argues a penalty call against him in the first period against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t have to engage in an unpleasant arbitration battle with 26-year-old defenseman Mark Fraser. The two sides made the hearing scheduled for today moot by agreeing to a one-year, $1.28 million contract, according to CBC’s Tim Wharnsby.

Fraser was asking for $2 million in arbitration while Toronto had countered with $855,000.

The Ottawa, Ontario-native is a big, physical defenseman that doesn’t do a lot offensively. Toronto now has six blueliners signed to one-way contracts, not including Jake Gardiner or Cody Franson, who remains a restricted free agent.

It’s not clear where Fraser will fit with the 2013-14 Maple Leafs, but it’s doubtful that he’ll start the season as more than a third-pairing blueliner.

This deal also gives the Maple Leafs less than $5 million in projected cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Nazem Kadri and Franson. A recent report suggests that Toronto might trade Franson in light of their cap situation.