Dubas: Maple Leafs 'very close' to extending Kapanen

The Toronto Maple Leafs are "very close" to agreeing to an extension with restricted free-agent forward Kasperi Kapanen, general manager Kyle Dubas told reporters Saturday.

Kapanen's new contract is expected to be a three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.2 million, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Along with Mitch Marner and Andreas Johnsson, Kapanen was one of Toronto's three key pending RFAs entering the offseason. The club is also nearing an extension for Johnsson.

The Maple Leafs acquired Kapanen, 22, in the 2015 Phil Kessel trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his first full NHL season, the speedy Finn scored 20 goals and added 24 assists in 78 games.

The Leafs cleared $6.25 million in cap space Saturday by trading Patrick Marleau to the Carolina Hurricanes.

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