TORONTO -- Nazem Kadri was relieved to have a new deal, and that emotion extended to his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates who wont have to answer questions about his status. "They are glad its over," Kadri said. "Im sure theyll take me out for a nice dinner on me." Fresh off signing a US$5.8-million, two-year contract, the restricted free-agent centre was all smiles and ready to move past the summer squabbling as he reported to training camp. But with defenceman Cody Franson unsigned and no extensions yet for captain Dion Phaneuf and star Phil Kessel, the Maple Leafs still face plenty of contract questions. The most pressing situation is that of Franson, the only one of the 59 players invited to camp who did not report. "My deals out of the way now, and hopefully Franny and his agent could come together and come to terms because hes a big piece of our team," Kadri said. "I know everyone wants him back and I know he wants to be back. Its just a matter of when." Judging by what general manager Dave Nonis had to say Wednesday, it could be a while unless the 26-year-old blue-liner moves closer to the Maple Leafs negotiating position like Kadri did. Nonis said the team wasnt prepared to change its stance on Kadri, crediting him for wanting to be there for the first day of camp. Now the pressure is on Franson. "Weve made him an offer that we want him to take," Nonis said. "Hes declined to take it. At this point, were going to move ahead with the players we have here in camp." Nonis wasnt afraid to boast about Torontos depth on defence. Beyond Phaneuf, Carl Gunnarsson, Jake Gardiner, John-Michael Liles and Mark Fraser, the Maple Leafs will also give prospect Morgan Rielly and free-agent signee Paul Ranger hard looks in training camp. Its not personal, but the Maple Leafs only have between $2 million and $3 million of salary-cap space to work with, and that could put a squeeze on Franson. "Theres realities about where you are," Nonis said. "We have X amount of cap space. We have players who are going to try to make this team that may eat up some of that. Theres only so much we have to get a deal done. I understand his position, he doesnt think this is fair. We want him signed. We want to have Cody at camp. But hes not here." Kadri is in camp on a deal that will make him prove 44 points in a lockout-shortened 48-game season wasnt a fluke. He called it "fair for both sides," as his coach emphasized the importance of every player being in camp. "The 48 games he played with us last year was a start, but you wouldnt consider him a veteran guy when his next NHL game is his 100th game," Randy Carlyle said. "Hes a talented young player, and we feel fortunate to have him." The Maple Leafs are fortunate to have Kessel and Phaneuf, too, though each players future is uncertain as he goes into the final year of his contract. Kessel doesnt want to negotiate during the season, so management and agent Wade Arnott have a limited amount of time to negotiate an extension as training camp progresses. Kessel would prefer a "longer-term extension" because hed like to be somewhere for a long period of time. Other than that, he wasnt expansive about contract talks other than to say the Maple Leafs hadnt approached him in the off-season. "Im not too worried about it," Kessel said. "I got one year left here, and well see what happens." The same goes for Phaneuf, the Maple Leafs No. 1 defenceman and captain who has expressed a desire to stick around. "I know it will be an important topic, but were going to keep all that in house," Nonis said. "If and when we start negotiations with those players, it will be behind closed doors." Yet it will be an ongoing topic of conversation in this hockey-mad city until something gets done, just like with Kadri. The difference is, if Kessel isnt signed by the start of the regular season, the Maple Leafs will be playing meaningful games as he tries to put up the first 40-goal season of his NHL career. Centre Tyler Bozak had 12 goals and 16 assists last season before going to unrestricted free agency and ultimately re-signing with the Maple Leafs for five years and $21 million. He insisted he never considered leaving. "My No. 1 plan was to stay here, and throughout the whole process we were trying to figure out a contract that worked and find the right amount," Bozak said. "Luckily enough we were able to agree on something." It might not be so easy for the Maple Leafs with Kessel if the situation gets to June or July. But Nonis brushed off concern about that scenario. "I dont think its a circus either way," Nonis said. "Whether we start negotiations now or wait until the end of the year, there are two things that have to happen for a player to sign: He has to want to play here. It doesnt matter how much money we throw at him, he has to want to play here. "If he wants to play here, and if we want to have him, I believe we end up finding a way to make a deal." Thats what happened with Kadri, even though it took until 12 hours before players were set to show up at camp. Perhaps a deal could have been worked out sooner, but he and the Maple Leafs have bigger things to concern themselves with. "You can feel like its dragging on a little bit, but theres a purpose for everything and its not like we did this for no particular reason," Kadri said. "Im very relieved that I have a contract and that Im employed now, so we can just start worrying about the more important things and get this season going." Charvarius Ward Jersey . The 18-year-old centre was the Senators first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot 196-pound native of Salmon Arm, B. Mecole Hardman Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Laurent-Duvernay-Tardif-Elite-Jersey/ . On Saturday night, Winnipegs strong offense was again accompanied by some fantastic pitching which gave the Fish a commanding victory. Chris Jones Jersey . Johns, N.L., to Thunder Bay, Ont., after a deal was announced to build a new $106-million "event centre" in the Lake Superior community. Kendall Fuller Jersey . With the final four being arguably the four best – and most complete – teams from the regular season, picking a winner is not as easy as it sounds.MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Uruguay claimed the 32nd and final place at next years World Cup in Brazil with a 0-0 draw against Jordan in the second leg of an intercontinental playoff Wednesday. Uruguay, which won 5-0 a week ago in Jordan, advanced on a 5-0 aggregate over two legs as Jordan defended compactly throughout Wednesdays match. Uruguay finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup, the best finish of any South American team. It has also twice won the tournament. Its the fourth consecutive time Uruguay has gone into an intercontinental playoff to reach the World Cup. It defeated Costa Rica to reach the 2010 World Cup, but lost to Australia in 2005 after defeating the Australians in 2001 Uruguay, with a population of only 3.3 million, will be one of the eight seeded teams in the Dec. 6 World Cup draw. The seedings are based on FIFAs rankings. The other seven seeded teams are: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and Switzerland.dddddddddddd Statistically, this was the 816th and final match since qualifying for Brazil began when Montserrat played Belize on June 15, 2011, a process that narrowed 203 nations down to 31 to join Brazil, which qualifies automatically has the host nation. Robin van Persie of the Netherlands, Luis Suarez of Uruguay and Deon McCaulay of Belize shared the lead for goals in 2014 qualifying with 11 each. Both teams started the match conservatively, but Uruguay had lots of possession in the first half despite being unable to break through as Jordan defended much better than in the first leg. Jordan hung on in the second half, with Uruguay trying to avoid any injuries. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez started his top 11 at Centenario stadium including forwards Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Crowd favourite Diego Forlan came on in the 60th minute. ' ' '