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Maple Leafs ink Gunnarsson
By
QMI Agency
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  Maple Leafs defenceman Carl Gunnarsson has signed a two-year extension with the team. (MICHAEL PEAKE/QMI Agency file photo)
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Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke continues to work on firming up the back end of his team after signing defenceman Carl Gunnarsson to a two-year deal.
A week after securing goaltender James Reimer to a three-year deal, the Leafs locked up Gunnarsson who played 68 games for the team this past season including some solid play down the stretch as the team made it's late rally.
Gunnarsson was due to be a restricted free agent this summer. Originally selected by the team in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL entry draft (189th overall), the big Swede played four seasons in his homeland with Kinkoping of the Swedish Elite League.
Gunnarsson had 20 points for the Leafs last season and logged more than 21 minutes ice time in each of the team's final 24 games as it became clear he had a future with the team.
Gunnarsson was gradually becoming a fan favourite here and the 24-year-old seemed to be a nice fit in the young Leafs dressing room.
"Looking forward to being a Leaf for the next two years," Gunnarsson wrote on his twitter account. "Love T.O."
