The Toronto Maple Leafs see Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri as key pieces of a winning future.
Related: Maple Leafs sign Rielly, Kadri to 6-year contracts
That was the clear message general manager Lou Lamoriello delivered on a conference call Wednesday to confirm their respective six-year contracts signed earlier in the day.
"It was extremely important (to sign Kadri and Rielly to extensions), because it was a message to the commitment to both of them," he said. "This is just another step towards what we want to be in building the foundation for this franchise."
As far as Lamoriello is concerned, Rielly can be penciled in as a No. 1 defenseman with All-Star potential.
Lou Lamoriello says Rielly has All-Star potential: "He certainly is the key to our defence. He's our leader there."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 13, 2016
Riellly's deal includes a 10-team no-trade clause, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, while Kadri's includes a 10-team no-trade list.
For his part, the young defenseman is ready and willing to be part of the long-term solution in Toronto.
"It's just about commitment," Rielly said. "I certainly don't want to go anywhere. It's about being in Toronto and being part of this."
Kadri admitted he's experienced some growing pains over the past few years, but he's done everything he can to show his desire to make a positive and meaningful contribution.
"I've worked hard to achieve this goal. It means a lot to be rewarded for that," he said. "Toronto is where my heart is. For them to show this kind of commitment towards me meant a lot. I couldn't be more happy."
As for his role moving forward, that's up to Mike Babcock to decide, and contingent on other pieces added or subtracted from the roster at the center position.
Lamoriello on Kadri upside: "Naz showed he can be put in any role. He found him i a shut-down role. He found himself on the power play."
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) April 13, 2016
"(Kadri) knows the level of respect the organization has for him," Lamoriello added.
Kadri: "This is a beginning. I want to reach my max potential. I want to be the player I know I can be & the player that leads this group."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 13, 2016
Rielly and Kadri, both of whom were set to become restricted free agents this summer, are now on the books through to the end of the 2020-21 - by which point, if all goes well, the Leafs are expected to have climbed high above the depths of the current rebuild. And they're banking on this pair to help get them there.
