Nazem Kadri, Maple Leafs Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

The Toronto Maple Leafs retained a key member of their young core Sunday, agreeing to a new short-term contract with center Nazem Kadri.

A news release through the club's official website confirmed Kadri would return on a one-year extension. James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail reports the contract is worth $4.1 million.

Since he was drafted seventh overall in the 2009 draft by the Leafs, Kadri has made a considerable impact, per Sportsnet Stats:

He is just 24 years old and is in line for a bigger role because Toronto lost its most dynamic offensive playmaker, Phil Kessel, in a trade to Pittsburgh.

Securing Kadri for what amounts to a prove-it deal is at least showing confidence in the youngster's future and upside. There's a reason he wasn't offered a lucrative multiyear payday, though.

Kadri missed a team meeting in March and was scratched for three games thereafter for a record of similar behavior. Team president Brendan Shanahan addressed the matter while also indicating he wanted Kadri to stay in the fold, per TheStar.com's Curtis Rush:

"

There's more to this, obviously. If this was a case of Nazem being 15 minutes late for a meeting one time, yes, then you could probably sweep this under the rug and handle this internally. But Naz is an important part of our future. We like Nazem Kadri. His teammates like him. We expect a certain level of professionalism. It's time for him to start making better decisions. There's a history here.

"

During the 2012-13 campaign, Kadri had 44 points in 48 games but has seen his production drop since then. He had just 39 points in 73 contests this last season. It's vital for him to show improvement and a strong dedication to his craft moving forward.

A lot of Leafs will have to gain the front office and coaching staff's trust by merit amid a formidable rebuilding project. All indications are Shanahan intends to run a tighter ship to create a better, winning culture.

Toronto has made Mike Babcock the highest-paid coach in the NHL, but it will still take some time to turn things around. Babcock will at least have a talented forward in Kadri to plug in and hopefully help the Leafs improve from a poor showing with the fourth-fewest points the league.