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Maple Leafs Roundtable: Favorite Moment From 2015-2016

By Tim Chiasson

Mar 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (39) and forward Frederik Gauthier (54) celebrate a win over the Calgary Flames at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Calgary 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (39) and forward Frederik Gauthier (54) celebrate a win over the Calgary Flames at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Calgary 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during their game against the Los Angeles Kings at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Kings 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during their game against the Los Angeles Kings at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Kings 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Lauren Kelly: Rielly/Kadri Extensions

There were definitely a lot of good moments from 2015-16, which may be hard to believe because there was so much losing throughout. If I had to choose just one, it would probably be when the Leafs announced they’d signed Rielly and Kadri to six-year contract extensions.

The signings showed that the Leafs are committed to development, that they were fully committed to both young players, and that these two would be a part of the team’s future for years to come.

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With many prospects set to make the jump from the AHL, NCAA, and CHL as early as next season, it was comforting to know that management had faith in the team’s drafting and development systems, as both Kadri and Rielly were former first-round picks of the club, and were developed carefully through the CHL and the Marlies. After the past season, both had cemented their long-term futures with the Leafs.

The signings are also a sign of a new team identity that Babcock and the coaching staff are working hard to instill: a fast and skilled group that dominates puck possession.

With Kadri and Rielly locked up for the foreseeable future, and both players representing that identity extremely well, the Leafs are well on their way to achieving that team identity that has been so desperately lacking in previous versions of the team.

And now, with these two key pieces in place, the team can continue to build for the future.

Next: Sandy Taver: The Phaneuf Trade

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