Maple Leafs' Mike Babcock harps on fitness, expects Nazem Kadri to be 'elite'

The season is in full swing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mike Babcock continued to harp on fitness when talking to reporters about the team's re-signing of Nazem Kadri on Monday, suggesting that the embattled forward can be an "elite player" if he applies the appropriate measures throughout the summer months.

"His training has got to match his skill set," Babcock said, according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Sun. "That's to all our guys. You can't take the summer off. I expect our best players to be our hardest working people to set the tone flat out. I've told them all that. They understand that. That's what they need to do.

"This is a big two-and-a-half months for us."

As for his show-me contract, Babcock believes the one-year deal is the perfect scenario in motivating Kadri.

"It's a home run for him," Babcock said. "He gets to come in and have a heck of a year and put the screws to us. Why wouldn't he? If I'm him, I'm going to have the best year of my career because I'm training the way I should and living the way I should, then why wouldn't I have a short-term deal?"

Kadri's roller-coaster tenure with the Maple Leafs was primarily on the downslope last season. His 18-goal, 39-point output was his worst for a full NHL season.