Franson was injured in Sunday's preseason game against the Sabres. He hurt his left knee after smashing heavily into the boards following a battle with Torrey Mitchell. "I thought my kneecap was shattered," Franson said on Monday. The Leafs are battling some serious injury woes in the preseason, but it looks like Franson may have dodged a bullet; this injury could have been more serious. Monitor his status as the regular season approaches.

Franson, 26, played 79 games for the Maple Leafs in 2013-14, collecting 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) with 30 penalty minutes. The 6-5, 213-pound defenceman ranked second in NHL hits (282) and was third on the Leafs in blocked shots (111). He established single-season career highs in assists and points last season.

Franson missed Tuesday's game with an illness but will be back in tonight as the Maple Leafs once again go with seven defensemen.

Franson missed the last two games after being injured on Friday vs. Buffalo. Franson leads the Leafs with 13 assists, but is still in search of his first goal. Morgan Rielly will likely be scratched with Franson returning.

Franson will miss his second straight game. He could be back on Thursday.

Franson left warmups and did not play in Saturday's game after being injured on Friday vs. Buffalo. Franson is still searching for his first goal of the season, but leads the Leafs with 13 assists. He was on the ice for the Maple Leafs morning skate so there is a good chance that he will be in the lineup tonight. Monitor his status during warmups.

Franson was a late scratch in Saturday's loss to the Canadiens. Carlyle called Franson an "option" for tomorrow's contest with the Sharks. Whatever injury Franson suffered in Friday's game, it does not appear to be serious and he should be back on the blueline very soon. Monitor his status tomorrow, as he is expected to skate in the a.m.

Franson will not play tonight so Jake Gardiner moves up with Mark Fraser and Morgan Rielly slides into the lineup paired with Paul Ranger.

Despite having a ton of success alongside Mark Fraser last season, Franson will start the season with Gardiner as his D-partner. This duo has the potential to produce a lot of offence.

It’s likely the Leafs blueline pairings are now set, with Franson expected to be reunited with Mark Fraser, a pairing that stuck all of last season. The 26-year-old set a career high scoring four goals with 25 assists (29 points) in 44 games last year.

Franson has potential that seemingly everyone except the Leafs saw but he spent most of last season in Ron Wilson's doghouse. Under a new regime, Franson should be able to amplify his 21 points in 57 games last season.

Franson takes a seat in the press box for tonight's game. He has five goals and 21 points in 54 games.

Franson is once again a healthy scratch. The offensive defender has four goals and 20 points in 50 games.

Franson is once again a healthy scratch. The offensive defender has four goals and 20 points in 50 games.

Franson getting back on the ice is a good sign after leaving his last game during his first shift. He has four goals and 20 points in 49 games.

Franson getting back on the ice is a good sign after leaving his last game during his first shift. He has four goals and 20 points in 49 games.

Franson played less than a minute tonight and is clearly injured.

Franson gets back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch. The offensive defender has four goals and 20 points through his first 48 games in Toronto.

Franson is expected to sit tonight's game out. In 48 games with the Leafs, the former Predator has four goals and 20 points.

Through 47 games, Franson has four goals and 19 points. He should be expected to occasionally draw out of the lineup.