The pair of punchers that became known as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be back next season in Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of re-signing restricted free agent Frazer McLaren to a two-year deal on Friday afternoon for $700,000 a season.

The Leafs claimed McLaren off waivers from the San Jose Sharks in one of GM Dave Nonis's first moves in the top job, adding more of the physical element asked for by coach Randy Carlyle.

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McLaren went on to play in 35 games, recording three goals, two assists and 102 penalty minutes.

Along with fellow Winnipeger Colton Orr, he helped pace the Leafs to a league-leading 44 fighting majors. Orr dropped the gloves 13 times to finish second in the league while McLaren fought 12 times to tie for third.

Carlyle played and coached in Winnipeg for years and knew of McLaren from both those days and when the Sharks faced Carlyle's former team, the Anaheim Ducks, in the same division.

McLaren becomes the first of the Leafs seven RFAs to sign a contract and brings Toronto to 13 players on the roster. The contract is similar to the one signed by Calgary Flames tough guy Brian McGrattan a day earlier.

Next in line for new deals as RFAs are Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson, Carl Gunnarsson, Jonathan Bernier, Joe Colborne and Mark Fraser.