Kadri signs with Leafs

[Ravin]

Finally this stupidity is over.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with restricted free-agent forward Nazem Kadri on a two-year, $5.8 million deal.

The agreement ends an off-season of contract talks that, at times according to reports, had the two sides very far apart in both demands and expectations.

"Congrats to @43--Kadri on the new contract," Maple Leafs' Frazer McLaren tweeted. "Thanks for dinner."

Kadri had a breakout season during the 2012-13 campaign, picking up 18 goals and 26 assists in 48 games played, all career highs.

The 22-year-old has appeared in 99 games since making his NHL debut during the 2009-10 season and has contributed 26 career goals and 37 assists.

The London, Ontario native was drafted by the Maple Leafs seventh overall in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Kadri's three-year, entry level deal that had an AAV of $1.72M, expired at the end of the 2012-13 season.

So a bridge contract, which everyone and their mother was saying Kadri should have signed to begin with. He has played more AHL games than NHL games, and wanted big money for only one full season in the NHL. This should have been a no brainer.

Here is a column I wrote on Kadri last week if anyone is interested

 

[leaffan]

Now they just need to get Franson signed and they'll be good to go. Next off season is really going to suck because they have to deal with Phaneufs, Gardiner, Reimer and the biggie Kessel.