The signing of 2011 first rounder Tyler Biggs to his three-year entry-level deal today increased the number of pro contracts signed by Toronto to 49 players. The limit of players that can be signed to one-way or two-way deals is 50 and the Leafs have yet to sign defensemen Cody Franson and Matt Lashoff, forward Jay Rosehill and goaltender Ben Scrivens, but because of something called the entry-level contract “slide” rule, they will not be in danger of going over the limit.
According to the current CBA, if a player aged 18 or 19 signs with a club but does not play at least ten games at the NHL level in the first season of his deal, the term of his contract and the number of years in his entry level deal shall be extended(or slide) for one year. A player contract that falls under this rule does not count against the 50 contract limit.
Toronto has four players; Biggs, 2011 first rounder Stuart Percy, sixth rounder David Broll and 2012 top pick Morgan Rielly who would qualify under this rule. The only way that will change is if one of them made the Leafs out of training camp and stayed with them past the 10 game mark, which is unlikely but not out of the realm of possibility, former first rounder Luke Schenn did it just four years ago.
Minor leaguers Mike Zigomanis, Will Acton and Dylan Yeo, who signed in the last few weeks, also do not count towards the limit since the contracts they signed were AHL-only deals. If the Leafs wanted to call any of them up, they would have to sign them to a pro deal and have a spot open for them under the 50 man limit.
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Nazem Kadri has battled concerns over maturity, attitude and an inability to play the center position at the NHL level since being drafted seventh overall in 2009. The young forward was called up and demoted by former Leaf coach Ron Wilson five times, but according to an article by Kyle Cicerella(www.kylethereporter.com), the 21 year old is hoping to put the past difficulties behind him and start anew with new coach Randy Carlyle.
Despite only suiting up in two games for Carlyle, Kadri felt a connection with his new coach and even admitted that Carlyle wanted to keep him longer if he had his choice.
“Just the couple games I was up there he showed a lot of faith in me, putting me out last minutes of periods in games,” said Kadri. “And he has the confidence in me. He would have liked to keep me up if they didn’t have that rule.”
The rule that Kadri was referencing is GM Brian Burke’s favorite, which limits teams to four recalls after the NHL Trade Deadline. Kadri was recalled in late March as an emergency injury replacement, but was forced to return to the Toronto Marlies since the player he was recalled for returned to the lineup.
“It’s a clean slate and, even though the past couple years I’ve worked hard and (still) doing everything I can to stick with the big club, Randy’s bringing a different element and I know he likes responsible players,” said Kadri. “And that’s something I felt like I’ve become; pretty responsible forward. I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve matured, and I’ve learned a lot about myself.”
Kadri is doing what he can to carve out a niche for himself in the Maple Leafs lineup next season, enlisting the services of former Leaf Gary Roberts to get into top physical shape, but he is relying on getting a fresh start with Carlyle, who will give him the extended look with the Leafs that did he not get under Wilson.
If he has truly matured and become at least in adequate player in his own zone, Kadri's offensive creativity could be a major asset for the 2012-13 Maple Leafs. However, if he continues to be the talented, yet inconsistent player that we've seen at points over the last couple seasons, then it won't be long before Carlyle starts to draw the same conclusions that his predecessor had.
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