According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Toronto Maple Leafs have opened contract negotiations with Nazem Kadri. The 24-year-old centre is scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season and makes $2.9 million against the cap.
Kypreos says that instead of a short-term deal, the Leafs would like to strike a long-term deal with Kadri and buy up some of his UFA years.
With 12 goals and 26 points in 45 games, Kadri is the fifth-highest scorer on the Leafs this season. Unless he signs a long-term contract, he would become eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2016-17 season.
According to Kypreos’ numbers, the Maple Leafs are offering an average annual value of $4.5 million to Kadri.
Recently, pending UFA Nick Foligno signed an extension with Columbus worth $5.5 million against the cap, while 22-year-old Nick Bjugstad signed a six-year extension worth $4.1 million with Florida, which bought up a few of his UFA seasons.
The Maple Leafs drafted Kadri seventh overall in the 2009 draft.