As long as contract talks go smooth in Toronto it's got to be Nazem Kadri. The poster boy for home grown players in Toronto. His offensive gifts have taken a backseat to a more responsible two way game. Randy Carlyle's influence over Kadri and his at times tough love approach have built a stronger player in Kadri. The over confident kid from his early days is turning into the steadying leader in the dressing room.
His composure and ability to make it onto the score sheet even in the dark days show a maturity that not only is he able to continue to play hard but he's also able to do it despite the circumstances that plague the Leafs heading into this rebuild. Kadri will be the veteran presence on this Leaf team when the dust settles and the young guys the team bring in will be looking to Kadri to lead.
The team defied Leafs Nation when Nazem Kadri the 7th overall pick was made to take the long scenic route in regards to the development despite being a dynamic offensively gifted player in junior. He was sent back to the London Knights after his draft year where he exploded for 93 points in 56 games and when fans were calling for him to be make the big club Kadri wound up spending most of the next year in AHL with the Marlies. He would go on to spend part of his first three pro seasons with the Marlies riding buses and trying to prove his worth.
Kadri's first full season was a good one 50 points in 78 games and he's currently on pace for 57 points this season despite a more brutal than usual team slump in TO and a greater focus on his two-way game.
Kadri isn't going to win the Hart trophy but his time here and the work he's put in represents the patience that has been missing from this club for over a decade+. You can knock Brian Burke for his at times over the top comments and penchant for being the face of the the Leafs during his time but the system he put in place has finally got Leafs Nation to put it's expectations in check to a certain degree.
Since Burke was GM the Leafs have learned to be patient even if it costs people their jobs and to stay the course with young prospects. Of the Leafs last three drafts the only player to taste NHL action and he's done so full time is stud offensive blue liner Morgan Reilly who Burke famously said was #1 on the Leafs board at the draft but was available at #5.
Four drafts ago (2011) is the next time we see Leafs prospects with NHL experience. Josh Leivo and Stuart Percy are finally starting to get looks with the big club. Leivo has been up and down between the Leafs and Marlies and Percy had a strong camp and started the year with the Leafs before being sent down.
It can be argued the Leafs have played it too safe with their selections but it's clear Kadri was the beginning of a new era in Leafs development. When Luke Schenn was rush to NHL the pressure was too much and after a strong rookie season he burnt out and people started calling for a trade. The Leafs fortunately were able to flip him for James Van Riemsdyk. This helped Burke realize the answer wasn't a quick retool as he first suspected but a wake up call and also that rushing prospects at the urging of the fans and media was not the way to go.
Kadri's self belief took a back seat to proper development and the kid who was once his own biggest fan realized the name on the back of the jersey wasn't as important as that big Leaf on the front. Ever since it's been fun to watch Kadri. He takes less risks now and having played a lot this season with Winnik and Santorelli he's shown a much better commitment to two-way hockey and as he grows as a player so to does his status as a veteran going forward for the Leafs.
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| I was there in Ottawa that night a hat-trick for Kadri and a beauty ending to the night with Ron and Don in the house |
Will Kadri land the Captaincy in the event of a Phaneuf trade? I don't have the answer but I believe he has all the tools and the mental strength to carry this team on and off the ice and I'd be ecstatic to go and get a C put on my 43 jersey.
