Nazem Kadri

[herman]

I had been hesitant to start up a thread about Kadri in the past, not knowing how much longer he would be on the roster. Now that he's signed for 6 years at a team (and player) friendly rate, and fresh off a statement game that put to bed a media manufactured frenzy over 1st overalls*: here come the Nazem Kadri love letters.

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/11/02/the-evolution-of-nazem-kadri/

Kadri is the fulcrum down the middle for Toronto this season. The expectation is that he will take on all the tough head-to-head assignments ? thereby creating an easier NHL transition for the Nylanders, Matthews and Marners of the roster ? and produce like a top-six center in the process. That?s no mean feat, especially when the Leafs? go-to defence pairing remains a work in progress.

[...]

[Outside] of two off-nights in Winnipeg and Chicago (inevitably, it?s going to go sideways some games against top competition), the results through ten games are encouraging. In the early going, Kadri is keeping top centers off the board with some consistency at even strength ? despite a slow start by the Leafs goalies ? and he has been carrying an edge in possession in his primary matchups while chipping in four even-strength points and four powerplay points in ten games.

[...]

I?m almost shocked how good he?s been. And competitive, and greasy.

? Mike Babcock on Nazem Kadri

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I hope the refs start cutting him some slack, sure he might have simulated on 1 in 5 calls last year, but that doesn't mean you turn around this year and just ignore every time he is legitimately foul or just call him for diving.

Let's see a return to Nazem Kadri Bob Ross drawing penalties.

 

[herman]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2016/11/02/leafs-nazem-kadri-finally-coming-to-his-own-defence.html

I only care about the photo on this one:

"Open your mouth, or the shock-waves from the blast will make your head explode"

 

[herman]

http://theleafsnation.com/2016/11/2/why-tuesday-night-was-nazem-kadri-s-perfect-game

"I'm not here to be a role player. I want to help this team win," said Kadri. "I want to do everything I can to help these guys win, and in doing that, help the young kids by paving the road and set a good example by doing things right and showing them what it takes to be a professional. All those things I've embraced."

I'm going to start calling him "The 7:00 Shadow".

 

[McGarnagle]

I can't tell if the guy in the ottawa sweater is happy or angry.

I like how he's spilling beer on the woman next to her and zero reaction.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/melissaloparco/status/793927514565599237
Good stuff Herman! Now I have a place to put the gifs  ;D

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/793605201978589184

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/793637322885566465

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/793637871534178304

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/792534153380126721
"I'm not here to just be a role player. I want to help this team win." - NAZ

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/melissaloparco/status/793927514565599237
Good stuff Herman! Now I have a place to put the gifs  ;D

Yaaasss... Tickle Fight 2016

 

[Arn]

NO ban for last night's hit that kicked off all the shenanigans

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nazem-kadri-wont-suspended-hit-daniel-sedin/

 

[hockeyfan1]

No suspension for Kadri on the Sedin hit.  No head shot neither:


Damian Echevarrieta  @Ech28
Blind side hits are NOT illegal in itself. If the head isn't the MAIN point of contact, it doesn't matter if it's North/South or East/West. pic.twitter.com/edzNqfnf2M

 

[TBLeafer]

 

[freer]

I still think if was fifty hit. I am glad it was not a suspension

 

[disco]

I still think if was fifty hit. I am glad it was not a suspension

Yeah, me too. Would have been a big loss, Naz has been playing great. He got a four-gamer last year so I heard if he got dinged this time it would have been repeat-offender status.

It was from the side but in the realm of super dirty it wasn't like kneeing a guy and pretty much ruining his career. Sedin had just shot the puck a split second before. Would I be mad if Marchand did that to Matthews? Probably, but hits like this were much more frequent before the last lock-out. Wango.

Naz is called upon to be the checking center, so he's got to be on the physical edge more than anyone in the top nine. He's going to make a few mistakes. Probably a bit enraged a Sedin got in alone again. And I wonder what caused Rielly to lay out Hanson? That one was great. Took a spear later for his troubles from Burrows.

 

[Kin]

Something that speaks to how good Kadri's been in the early going is he's got 9 points in 12 games and his linemates, combined, have 6 points.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Something that speaks to how good Kadri's been in the early going is he's got 9 points in 12 games and his linemates, combined, have 6 points.

Yeah the kids have definitely taken a lot of the attention away from him but putting up a 60-point pace with his linemates while going up against the top competition is very impressive.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Something that speaks to how good Kadri's been in the early going is he's got 9 points in 12 games and his linemates, combined, have 6 points.

I'm not sure what you are trying to say.  Yes, Kadri has been good this year, but to say his line-mates haven't is a bit misleading.  They sport an above 51 CF% in tough matchups.  I think since Michalek was replaced by Brown they've been pretty good.

Plus, how many of Kadri's points have come 5-on-5?  Not many:

4 points on the PP (he lines up with Nylander and Matthews for that)
OT goal against Edmonton (3-on-3)
4-on-4 goal against Vancouver (Komarov doing his job in front of the net, Reilly and Zaitsev with the assists)

5-on-5, only three points:
His first goal against Edmonton was nicely set up by Brown
His point against Florida he was on the ice with Marner and Bozak (middle of a line change I assume)
His goal against Winnipeg, Michalek was in on (2nd assist)

Anyways, considering the tough matchups the Kadri line faces each night, I'm not sure who I'd put on his line other than Komarov and Brown.

 

[Kin]

I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

That Kadri, who is a good offensive player, has been productive despite being on a line with guys who aren't really good offensive players. That he hasn't a ton at 5 v 5 seems to confirm that.
4 points on the PP (he lines up with Nylander and Matthews for that)
OT goal against Edmonton (3-on-3)
4-on-4 goal against Vancouver (Komarov doing his job in front of the net, Reilly and Zaitsev with the assists)

Anyways, considering the tough matchups the Kadri line faces each night, I'm not sure who I'd put on his line other than Komarov and Brown.

I'm not necessarily advocating a change, just pointing out that if Kadri stays with this line all year his point total is probably going to be a little artificially depressed.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'm not necessarily advocating a change, just pointing out that if Kadri stays with this line all year his point total is probably going to be a little artificially depressed.

That's ultimately why I picked Matthews over Kadri in the points prediction thread. I think Kadri may end up the MVP of the team, but will be depressed in points as you say.

 

[Highlander]

I wouldnt mind seeing Sosh moved up to play with Kadri.