Nazem Kadri sounds like he’s not worried about the direction of contract talks, and is most definitely looking forward to next season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kadri is one of the Leafs’ key restricted free agents.

“We’re in conversation,” Kadri said of contract talks. “There’s still work to be done, but we’re talking and that’s the most important thing.”

Kadri said he had a chance to say goodbye to a couple of friends — Matt Frattin and Ben Scrivens — at Dion Phaneuf’s wedding. As hard as it was to see them leave the Leafs, Kadri said he likes the moves GM Dave Nonis has made: Bringing in goalie Jonathan Bernier and centre Dave Bolland through trades and winger David Clarkson through free agency.

“It’s always tough to see some of your good friends leave,” said Kadri. “That’s the hardest part about this business.

“I do feel like we upgraded. Bringing in Clarkson, Bernier and Bolland, veteran guys that can bring a lot to the dressing room and on the ice.”

Kadri said Clarkson will especially fit the mould of the team that coach Randy Carlyle is trying to build.

“He is the type of guy you hate playing against, an agitator that gets under a lot of people’s skin,” Kadri said of Clarkson. “That’s our identity that Randy (Carlyle) has been building up.

“We want to be that tough team to play against.”

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