Where is Kadri and what's going on with his development?

[Kin]

Not necessarily that they "struggled" here but that did not earn their full potential.  Whether a prospect or a regular player, why are the Leafs not able to get full value from certain guys?

Because that's just the nature of the beast. Not everyone plays their best hockey with every team they're on. I don't know that the Leafs are particularly unique or noteworthy in that respect.

And not to say that the prospects who begin under the Leaf tutelage go on to remarkable careers elsewhere.  Rather we are left wondering what sort of stagnation has afflicted their development (Jeremy Williams, Tlusty) or just throwing them into trades (Victor Stalberg).  You know, we trade Tlusty for Paradis and then Paradis etc for Versteeg then Versteeg for draft picks.  We just can't seem to settle on anyone and give them a chance.

But, again, that's true of every team. Every team has prospects that don't develop and that raise the question of what might have happened if they were in another situation.

And I think it'd be unfair to say the Leafs don't give young players their chances. Schenn, Gunnarsson, Gus, Kulemin, Bozak...I mean, there are a lot of guys who've definitely gotten their fair shake here.

 

[proteus2000]

Kadri has some explosiveness and mad skills...but lots of players do that never make a regular impact at the nhl level as they lack the intangibles that are required at the nhl level.

There is absolutely no point trading him at this point as his value wouldn't net a good return, so we just have to hope that he blossoms late like smaller guys such as St. Louis and Briere did in their mid 20s. We really need him to bring his game next year to have a chance at doing well.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

I don't know what the fuss is about what to do with Kadri.  Simply put, if he wasn't tough enough to be in the lineup, then why were players such as Lombardi, Connolly, Frattin etc. in the lineup?  Kadri could have put up better numbers than those players.  If Kadri was a defensive liability, he couldn't have been worse than any of the other players, so again, why not have him in the lineup for the entire season? 

I personally think Kadri would have suffered under RW's system, so in a way I am glad that Kadri stayed in the minors, but under Carlyle, I want to see Kadri play the entire season next year and he shouldn't be traded unless the return is just too good to pass up.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If Kadri was a defensive liability, he couldn't have been worse than any of the other players, so again, why not have him in the lineup for the entire season? 

Why could he not have been worse than any of the other players?

 

[Kin]

Why could he not have been worse than any of the other players?

 

[Corn Flake]

Kadri has some explosiveness and mad skills...but lots of players do that never make a regular impact at the nhl level as they lack the intangibles that are required at the nhl level.

There is absolutely no point trading him at this point as his value wouldn't net a good return, so we just have to hope that he blossoms late like smaller guys such as St. Louis and Briere did in their mid 20s. We really need him to bring his game next year to have a chance at doing well.

I don't see him as a player who is missing those typical intangibles that the all-tools-no-toolbox type prospects that never make it are always missing.  He is a feisty player who puts in the effort on every shift. He makes mistakes and tries to do a bit too much on his own but he doesn't take nights off.  Those are usually the areas that the flaky talents struggle with and eventually fall off the charts. 

What he struggles with is strength, ensuring he is doing at least the bare minimum on the defensive end, and most importantly I think he still has some of that ego that comes with being such a highly touted pick getting waaaay too much attention.  If the first two things were not an issue, the cockiness could probably be lived with.  He does seem a bit more humble every time he gets called up, and I think with some kids it just takes time. 

 

[Optimus Reimer]

If Kadri was a defensive liability, he couldn't have been worse than any of the other players, so again, why not have him in the lineup for the entire season? 

Why could he not have been worse than any of the other players?

Maybe he would be, but if Leaf management was concerned about him being a defensive liability, they should look no further than to see the number of defensive categories the Leafs lead in.  If Leaf managment were concerned with Kadri not being tough enough, they should look no further than to see the number of teams that shake in their boots when they face the Leafs.  I personally do not relate the Leafs to toughness or defensive aptitude. 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If Kadri was a defensive liability, he couldn't have been worse than any of the other players, so again, why not have him in the lineup for the entire season? 

Why could he not have been worse than any of the other players?

Maybe he would be, but if Leaf management was concerned about him being a defensive liability, they should look no further than to see the number of defensive categories the Leafs lead in.  If Leaf managment were concerned with Kadri not being tough enough, they should look no further than to see the number of teams that shake in their boots when they face the Leafs.  I personally do not relate the Leafs to toughness or defensive aptitude.

Then maybe it is better for him to learn to be better defensively in the AHL than to play on a team that can't play defense and will lead to him likely picking up those same poor habits.

 

[moon111]

I think Wilson's handling of Kadri was terrible.  And as far as I'm concerned, if Kadri's deep enough, let the kid loose.  Think Wilson was trying to mold him into a Travis Green at the best.

 

[Tigger]

Kadri's defence wasn't good enough and his offence was hit and miss too. He still has some flaws in his game, though he's coming along, but the entire Leafs organization saw this not just Wilson.

 

[Bender]

I think Wilson's handling of Kadri was terrible.  And as far as I'm concerned, if Kadri's deep enough, let the kid loose.  Think Wilson was trying to mold him into a Travis Green at the best.

Travis Green? Hyperbole much?

 

[bustaheims]

Kadri's defence wasn't good enough and his offence was hit and miss too. He still has some flaws in his game, though he's coming along, but the entire Leafs organization saw this not just Wilson.

That's pretty much it. He just wasn't really completely ready yet. His hands and skates were there, but, his mental game, consistency and defensive play still needed work. Hopefully, he'll be able to get to the point where he's too valuable to be sent to the Marlies this coming season, because the kid clearly has a ton of skill.

 

[Damian]

If memory serves, he was pretty much a giveaway machine with the big club.... no? I'm not bashing him, I wish he was a real performer for the little club, let alone the Buds

 

[Bender]

If memory serves, he was pretty much a giveaway machine with the big club.... no? I'm not bashing him, I wish he was a real performer for the little club, let alone the Buds

Yeah, he made a lot of silly mistakes and dumb plays.

 

[Tigger]

the kid clearly has a ton of skill.

For sure, that goal he scored coming out of the box against Rochester in the third game of the series was a great example, all skill. It's also a good example of his issues though, he was in the box for, essentially, holding on to the puck too long, turning it over and taking a penalty.

I have high hopes for him, he has a special quality and doesn't shy from physical play. If he can put it all together he'll be a pretty good NHL player but that's up to him in a lot of ways.

 

[moon111]

To me, Kadri's game became less and less 'natural'.  I can understand teaching the guy more and more defense, but it seemed like they were also trying to hamper his creativity with the puck in the offensive zone.  Kadri can create opportunities.  Let teammates worry about defense when he's puck-handling 80' from his own net.

 

[Bender]

To me, Kadri's game became less and less 'natural'.  I can understand teaching the guy more and more defense, but it seemed like they were also trying to hamper his creativity with the puck in the offensive zone.  Kadri can create opportunities.  Let teammates worry about defense when he's puck-handling 80' from his own net.

You can't play hockey by just being natural. Kadri being natural is Kadri as a giveaway machine.

 

[L K]

Kadri's defence wasn't good enough and his offence was hit and miss too. He still has some flaws in his game, though he's coming along, but the entire Leafs organization saw this not just Wilson.

That's pretty much it. He just wasn't really completely ready yet. His hands and skates were there, but, his mental game, consistency and defensive play still needed work. Hopefully, he'll be able to get to the point where he's too valuable to be sent to the Marlies this coming season, because the kid clearly has a ton of skill.

The flip side to that though is Kadri is a playmaker, and you need to put playmakers with guys who can shoot the puck.  When he came up on that stretch on the 3rd line, he fed Lombardi and Connolly a number of glorious chances that were fumbled.  I think his offense could have been a lot different if Connolly showed the ability to accept a pass in traffic (which I don't really understand because he has really good hands and good playmaking skills, but he's not very good at receiving quality passes in return).

 

[KW Sluggo]

My take on this is that Kadri is just one of many prospects and suspects in our system.

At some point we have to elevate some of them (Kadri, Frattin et al) and for more than a few games and for more than spot duty.

We are losing as it is, we may as well do so and let the kids learn, develop and coalesce as a group. We need no more UFA third liners and character players. We have to draft and then develop our own players.

The Marlies have shown improvement this year and it is now time to graduate some Marlies to the Leafs so they and the Leafs can take the next step.

Get an experienced goalie, trade or demote or buy out what you can of the  excess third and fourth liners and the overpaid and under performing and bring on the kids.

Draft, draft and draft again.

 

[Corn Flake]

Kadri is playing like a man on fire in this round of the playoffs.  I think he's doing a fine job of starting to shake the "suspect" tag.  When players elevate their game in the post season like this, it's a huge thing. 

D'Amigo as well is making a strong case he isn't a suspect either.