The Toronto Maple Leafs and 24-year-old forward Nazem Kadri have begun discussions on a contract extension, but nothing appears to be imminent. Although the two sides have talked about a salary range, the length of the potential deal hasn’t come up yet, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
“Doesn’t sound like Toronto is in a rush,” Dreger added.
That somewhat contrasts an earlier report from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos that Toronto and Kadri were negotiating a potential long-term deal and that the Maple Leafs were in the neighborhood of five-years, $22.5 million.
It’s likely that Toronto will re-sign Kadri given that he’s set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The real questions are for how much and will it eat up any of Kadri’s unrestricted free agency years.
Kadri was taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and broke out in 2013 with 18 goals and 44 points in 48 games. He took a step back in 2013-14 though with 50 points in 78 contests and is on a similar path this season after recording 27 points in 46 games.