Franson, Santorelli still can’t explain Leafs’ struggles

(CP) — Delayed by immigration issues after being traded to Nashville, Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli couldn’t escape Toronto. They cancelled nine or 10 flights out before finally getting the green light to join the Predators.

More than a week after the deal, Franson and Santorelli have just two games under their belt with their new team. And they still find it difficult to explain what went wrong with the Maple Leafs this season.

“We were in a good position at Christmas and then for whatever reason, we kind of just fell off the train tracks there,’’ Santorelli said Sunday at the Predators’ Buffalo hotel before their game against the Sabres. “Some games we deserved better outcomes, but then we weren’t consistent enough. We needed to be more consistent.’’

A lack of consistency was the reason general manager Dave Nonis gave for firing coach Randy Carlyle Jan. 6. Instead, a 2-7-0 stretch devolved into 4-20-2 by the time Franson and Santorelli were dealt on Feb. 15 for a first-round pick, prospect Brendan Leipsic and veteran Olli Jokinen.

Franson said that kind of losing was taxing, but even in retrospect and out of the Toronto spotlight the defenceman couldn’t put his finger on what caused the skid _ or last year’s that cost the Leafs a playoff spot.