With the NHL regular season officially in the past, the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to add to the rebuilding process under head coach Mike Babcock. The team made their first move of the off-season on Wednesday, extending two of their younger stars. The Leafs gave defenseman Morgan Rielly and forward Nazem Kadri six-year contract extensions.
The dollar amount for both deals were not disclosed, but sources say the two players will be making very similar money. Rielly's deal is said to be worth $5 million per season, with Kadri's rumored at $4.5 million.
The 22-year-old Rielly had a career-high 36 points as he played in all 82 games this season. That puts his career point total at 92, with 19 goals and 73 assists. He was drafted fifth overall in the 2012 draft, called up to the NHL in the 2013-14 campaign, and has since played in 236 regular-season games.
Kadri is a few years older at 25 years of age, but led the Leafs in points with 95 this past season. He played in 76 games, missing just six, and recorded 17 goals and 28 assists. He was drafted seventh overall in 2009, and has played in 326 career games, with 81 goals and 116 assists.
Toronto had a tough season, as expected, in the first year under new head coach Babcock. They finished in last place in the Atlantic Division with just 69 points. The organization, as well as its fans, understand this is a process that will take a few years. Many believe, with the young talent in the organization, the outcome will be worth the wait.
The dollar amount for both deals were not disclosed, but sources say the two players will be making very similar money. Rielly's deal is said to be worth $5 million per season, with Kadri's rumored at $4.5 million.
The 22-year-old Rielly had a career-high 36 points as he played in all 82 games this season. That puts his career point total at 92, with 19 goals and 73 assists. He was drafted fifth overall in the 2012 draft, called up to the NHL in the 2013-14 campaign, and has since played in 236 regular-season games.
Kadri is a few years older at 25 years of age, but led the Leafs in points with 95 this past season. He played in 76 games, missing just six, and recorded 17 goals and 28 assists. He was drafted seventh overall in 2009, and has played in 326 career games, with 81 goals and 116 assists.
Toronto had a tough season, as expected, in the first year under new head coach Babcock. They finished in last place in the Atlantic Division with just 69 points. The organization, as well as its fans, understand this is a process that will take a few years. Many believe, with the young talent in the organization, the outcome will be worth the wait.
