When I first saw these tweets I was thinking Brett Lebda 2.0:

When MOU is signed andlegal to sign players, TOR will sign defenceman Mike Mottau to a contract. Also, reported earlier, Cody Franson. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 13, 2013

According to a hockey source, Toronto Maple Leafs will sign free agent defenseman Mike Mottau to 2-way, 1-yr deal when new CBA is in effect — Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) January 13, 2013

Mike Mottau had a PTO with Florida that was torn up so he could sign this deal, I'd guess he's in contention to compete in camp against Mike Kostka, loser heads to the AHL.

We better hope so, Mike Mottau is a 34 year old who's managed to play 55 games in the past two years. This doesn't seem like an important move to be honest unless something insane like guaranteeing Mottau a spot on the Leafs happened (unlikely given the 2 way deal) or unless this is the total of Dave Nonis' defensive upgrade.

Salary Update:

Franson's deal is believed to be one year, $1.2M. Mottau's is believed to be one year, two-way deal, $850K in NHL. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 13, 2013

Mike Mottau's two-way deal with TOR pays him in $850K in NHL, $300K in AHL tho he has $225K minor league guarantee. 850/300 are 82 games. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 13, 2013

Funny Update Courtesy Old Man Forbes:

Quick, someone figure out which back room old boy with the Leafs was Mottau's coach at Boston College. Need to know who to blame. #Poulin — Michael Forbes (@mforbes37) January 13, 2013

Mottau played for Greg Cronin in junior and for Scott Gordon on the Island. Mystery solved!

Update by Skinnyfish:

Was sent this video of Mike Mottau "playing defense" on Twitter. It's titled "Mike Mottau's Snow Angel of Despair"



