Cody Franson speaking with Bruins, other teams

Unrestricted free agent defenseman Cody Franson said Tuesday he is in discussions with five or six teams, including the Boston Bruins, but he's not sure when he will sign a contract.

"There are some very interested [teams], but some teams are in cap situations and all the rest that comes with it," Franson during a radio interview with TSN 1040 in Vancouver. "So everything is just kind of slowly rolling, but definitely [we] have some action."

Franson played the past three seasons each on a one-year contract. He said he is looking for a multiyear contract this summer. Last season carried a $3.3 million NHL salary-cap charge.

"Obviously, I'd like to get something a little more than one year," he said. "I'm sick of doing one-year deals. But we're open to all suggestions, really.

"We haven't said a number and we'll take nothing less, or a term and we'll take nothing less than that. We haven't said that at all. We've had a lot of teams call to see where we're at. We just said in a certain ballpark. Nobody has laughed at us. Everybody has thought it was reasonable. It's just one of those things that some teams we're talking to are in cap crunches and some teams don't want to go maybe as long. It's a number of different circumstances. Hopefully something happens sooner than later."

Franson split last season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators. He had 32 points in 55 games with Toronto before he was traded to Nashville on Feb. 15. He struggled with the Predators and had four points in 23 games, and two points in five games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Franson said his time with the Predators last season was difficult because he didn't think he fit in on the depth chart as the fourth right-handed defenseman behind Shea Weber, Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis. He said he wants to be a prominent player, not a role player.

"With the way things went for me in Nashville, obviously that puts into perspective how important [it is] that you fit on the team you go to," Franson said. "If you're not happy where you are, it doesn't matter the amount of money you're making. If you can't go out every night and earn what you're making, it doesn't feel right. Being in the proper place on the depth chart and making sure you're a good fit in where you go is a real important factor for me."

Franson said he has spoken with forward Milan Lucic, his teammate with Vancouver of the Western Hockey League from 2004-07, about the Bruins. Lucic, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last month, played for the Bruins for the past eight seasons.

"I asked him a few questions about it," Franson said. "With the trade they made with [Dougie] Hamilton (to the Calgary Flames) and some of the other stuff they've done, they're one of the teams that we're in talks with. Boston would be an interesting spot. It's obviously an awesome city, and they've got a great organization and all those things that come with it. There are a handful of other teams too, and everything is just kind of slow rolling at the moment, and we're taking it day by day."

Franson said he would be interested in going back to Toronto but hasn't had too many discussions with the Maple Leafs about a return.

"I'd rather not be in this situation," Franson said. "It seems to kind of always work out that way. The last three years going through all those one-year deals, it's getting a little old, but my agent is very comfortable with where we're at. I spoke with him again [Monday] night, and it's just a matter of being patient and hopefully figuring out a good spot for me."