Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren buys out own contract to join Maple Leafs
Ryan Dixon
2008-07-07 18:48:44
When the term “buy out” gets used, it usually refers to teams throwing money at players to make them go away. In the case of Jonas Frogren, it was the other way around.
The Swedish defenseman bought out the remainder of his own contract with Farjestad of the Swedish League to sign a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Originally a 1998 Flames draft pick, Frogren has spent the past nine seasons with Farjestad. Last season the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder had one assist and 38 PIM in 47 games.
Some hefty financial backing helped the 27-year-old blueliner make the transaction. Frogren’s deal is one-way pact worth $450,000 in Year 1 and $900,000 in Year 2. It also includes a $700,000 signing bonus, part of which – rumored in Swedish newspapers to be $400,000 - was used to get out of the Farjestad deal.
“I was compensated for it by the Leafs,” Frogren told the Swedish media. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to buy out my contract with Farjestad.”
In the absence of a player transfer agreement between the NHL and IIHF, teams associated with both organizations have agreed not to go after players currently under contract on either side of the Atlantic.
The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement prevents teams from negotiating individual release fees with each other, but by giving Frogren the money directly by way of a salary – which will count against the cap – the Leafs found a way to get it done.
While it’s unclear exactly how much money was required to buy out Frogren’s existing contract, Farjestad appears happy with the exchange.
“We wanted to get a reasonable compensation for him, more than we would’ve got under the old transfer agreement, and we got it,” said Farjestad GM Thomas Rundqvist.
Under the old pact, NHL teams paid out a transfer fee of roughly $200,000 for a player.
- with files from Risto Pakarinen
Pri (Posted 2008-07-14 00:04:10)
I'm glad that I am a Hockey fan first and a Leaf fan second. Cliff is doing his job by setting the foundations for a team to grow on. Homegrown talent is great, but thats not the only talent around (I was able to see Jonas Frogren play, he gets the job done well). MSLE is finally doing their job, instead of bringing players for jersey sales, they are finding the necessary components of a soon to be winning team. It may take time for the team to find their stride, but he is addressing the problem: The lack of (past) players willing to play to their potential for the Leafs franchise. Fletcher also knows that their is a lack of credibility in their scouting and developmental aspect, and he is doing his best in bringing talent that is easy to amount to what is needed for the team. I give him full credit for getting rid of dead weight and bringing in some good kids with potential to the organization. Toronto wont be having a run for the cup in the next season (or two), but they will become a strong contender sooner with a better group of core players. Good job Cliff.
Evan (Posted 2008-07-13 09:06:17)
U guys need to get a life! Complaining about players that you've never seen play seems pretty foolish to me. These players that have been brought in show a lot of promise and are expected to help them the team over the next few years (also know as a rebuilding process). Rebuilding a team doesn't usually happen in a year or two and the leafs are FINALLY on their way towards a better team. You will all feel pretty silly if all of these player start producing in the NHL (which they probably will).
Johnny Chan (Posted 2008-07-08 21:27:10)
A sucker born everyday. This guy actually PAID money to join the Leafs, he has to be pretty desperate or desperatly stupid. The Leafs are kind of like a team of scab players, kind of like the football teams assembled when the NFL was locked out in the 80's. Second rate players who were merely there because all the real players were on the pickett line, or in this case, on all the other teams. I'd take Minnesota's expansion roster over the current Leafs. What an utter dissappointment Toronto has become.
Don (Posted 2008-07-08 16:57:53)
Who remembers how many 3rd period leads the leafs gave up last season?
Finger a d-man said by many GM's to be the most improved player in the NHL last season. Frogren a d-man who is regarded as the best defensive d-man in Sweden. Stralman a young d-man loaded with talent, anyone who watched him play in the world Championship this past spring should be impressed. If the Leafs didn't have him they would lined up to sign him.
I'd rather have these players on defense than Wozninsky, Kronwall, Harrison and a couple of others who have played defense for the Leafs and Marlies.
I'f the leafs won the race to " Tavares Town " I'd rather see them pick Victor Hedman from Sweden at this point in time. The man is a monster, 6 foot 7, can skate and has a shot to be feared. A dman to build a team around. Scorers are a dime a dozen, find a dman who can play and you have a team.
Maxime (Posted 2008-07-08 16:20:26)
Yes..."Fletcher is determined create a more defensive blue line this year given how poor defensively this team was last year" of course...so let's recap. Schenn, a great prospect, but still a rookie. Finger, great NHL experience, at age 28, with 94 games under the helmet, and a healthy scratch for 6 games in the 2008 playoffs. Stralman, second year, still young, expect Schenn to be better. Frogren, a...a guy...a guy that comes from far away. When UFAs don't wanna join the circus, go get strangers who never heard of MLSE before...that's a good plan Cliff. What's left now? McCabe, Mr. Big "my wallet doesn't fit in my pocket" Heart. Colaiacovo, the Glass Man, whose only record breaking performance is his time spent in the Leafs medical facilities. A more defensive blue line, or a gaping hole to the net and a ticket straight to Tavares Town? Make your pick!
Jawsh (Posted 2008-07-08 12:31:04)
He is not being brought in to be a point producer, hes a defensive defencemen. At a cap hit under 1M each of the next two years he isnt going to break the bank. It also helps that he showed good chemistry with one of our top prospects in Stralman in the Worlds. Its looks to me as if Fletcher is determined create a more defensive blue line this year given how poor defensively this team was last year. Schenn, Finger, and now Frogren will certainly help this team lean on opposing forwards and give Toskala the defensive support he needs. I like the direction Fletcher has this team going, its a nice change from suffering through the JFJ era.
Nate from NJ (Posted 2008-07-08 08:19:56)
HOLY S---!!!!!! What was this guy smoking?!?!?! One assist?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?! Its nice to see that Cliff is determined to bring on "Chico's Bail Bonds" as a new corporate sponsor. Just when you thought it couldn't GET any worse, Maple Schmucks management prove me wrong, AGAIN!
Jay R (Posted 2008-07-08 01:37:57)
1 assist?? Wow! That qualifies for 1st unit PP on this team!!!
Jeff McKee (Posted 2008-07-07 23:21:15)
When I think of it, going for a run at the bottom probably makes the most sense for the Leafs. A couple of top draft picks over the next year or two would ultimately give them a true opportunity to turn the franchise around. If I remember St. Louis holds the record for most consecutive playoff years in professional sport with about 28 years straight. Not too many of those years were they really a Cup contender. So, for the Leafs, getting in on the Tavares derby... well it makes sense. They should turn around fairly quickly if he's the real deal, as the cupboard is completely barren. When it's time to take a real run again, players are always excited to come to Toronto. Money hasn't ever really been an issue for the Leafs. Maybe along the way they'll find a couple of Cleary's to round out the roster.
Bob Allisat (Posted 2008-07-07 23:14:27)
The Euros want it both ways: no deal with the NHL but compensation for breaking a non-existent contract. The NHL and KHL should ignore these pipsqueeks and sign anyone giving nothing in return but what they provide for signing US and Canadian (has been) players. Which is squat. BTW the Leafs have quite a power defense brewing. Frogren and Finger! It will be like playing at a man disadvantage from first puck drop. Add cameo appearances with Granma Joseph in nets and it will be similar to pulling the goalie in the first minute of play not the last. More great fun for fans of any other team. Expect more weeping and gnashing of teeth from the hapless Leaf's nation. Plus they'll miss John Tavares by an unexpected and totally futile late season run at last place playoff qualifying! Oh joy!
ray keirstead (Posted 2008-07-07 22:17:51)
all that's left now is to get rid of all the corperate types and return the seats in the ACC to the real fans.
Go Leafs Go
K.D. (Posted 2008-07-07 21:59:59)
Everybody wants the leafs to rebuild, but when they start, everyone complains. What gives? I almost guarantee you that if these players start to produce, everyone here will say " I knew it, I told you they would be good players" Give the players a chance. Besides, The Wings will repeat so we can use this season to start a good rebuilding season. Quit knocking what you don't yet know.
jono (Posted 2008-07-07 20:28:22)
some defenceman that won't get use 2 the speed of the nhl im pretty sure they would like a slow prospect like tavares who reminds me of andrew brunette because the way he tore up the ohl if they were smart they would have played raycroft more and got stamkos this kid looks like a waterbug on ice but o well leafs are going to f up and pick around five because they got a good goalie
Kevin (Posted 2008-07-07 20:05:41)
Fast forward 11 months, "The Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to select John Tavares in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft."
Sound like setting your team up for a first overall pick to me. Didn't Pittsburgh do this for Lemieux?
neilw (Posted 2008-07-07 19:42:27)
Talk about giving last year's D the finger. Fletcher must really not be happy with his D. First Mayers, then Frogren, I guess next up will be prying away Dan Hamhuis from Nashville since he played so well at the World Championships as well.
jq in queue (Posted 2008-07-07 19:17:34)
Frogren was apparently paired with Stralman for Sweden at the IIHF World Championships this past spring in Halifax. The pair logged good minutes and seemed effective during the tournament. Agree there are proven NHLers available, but it looks like the organization wants to put a completely fresh face on the team. Can't blame them considering 3 years out of playoffs.
Andy (Posted 2008-07-07 19:06:53)
What in the world is going on in Toronto? Is the head office on glue? Whats the point in this when there are proven NHL players out there that wouldn't effect the cap as much...I dunno he didn't seem to be that great for the trouble.
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