| From MOP Squad Sports Toronto Maple Leafs TORONTO (AP) -- The Maple Leafs secured their young core Monday, signing restricted free-agent forward Kyle Wellwood to a two-year contract and defensemen Brendan Bell, Carlo Colaiacovo and Jay Harrison to one-year deals. The 22-year-old Wellwood had 11 goals and 34 assists in 81 games for the Leafs last season, ranking ninth in scoring among rookies and second on the team behind Alex Steen. Colaiacovo accepted his qualifying offer with the team and will make $901,740 if he plays in the NHL next season. In 25 career games, he has two goals and nine points. Harrison (one assist in eight games) and Bell (no points in one game) each made their NHL debuts last season but spent most of their time in the AHL. The trio of defensemen, along with Andy Wozniewski and Staffan Kronvall, are expected to contend for the final two spots on the Leafs blue line next season behind the top four of Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina and Hal Gill. The Leafs also announced Monday that minor league forward Kris Newbury accepted his qualifying offer and signed a one-year contract. |