NHL rejects Frogren contract with Maple Leafs but matter should be resolved

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs had hoped to announce the signing of Swedish defenceman Jonas Frogren on Wednesday but the contract was rejected by the NHL's head office.

"We are working with the NHL Players' Association to resolve the matter," said Don Meehan of Newport Sports, Frogren's agent. "We remain hopeful it will get resolved."

The league determined Frogren, 27, must be signed to an entry-level contract as a first-year NHL player despite his pro experience in Europe. The Leafs had signed Frogren to a standard contract.

Frogren, six-foot-one and 200 pounds, is a stay-at-home defenceman who played for Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League last season.

"He played really well at the world championships," Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. "He's a physical, defensive defenceman. He can play in our top six next season."