Kadri crosses line from pest to success
RALEIGH, N.C.— It’s hard to call Nazem Kadri a checking centre when he’s tied for second on the Maple Leafs in goals with11 and second in points with 20, one behind Auston Matthews.
Over the course of his career, the 27year-old centre from London, Ont., has been called a lot worse, like “pest” and “enigma.”
But Kadri draws almost as much praise these days as he does penalties. The highest compliment that can be offered, given he thrives against the other team’s top line, would be to call him a “200-foot player,” as Panthers coach Bob Boughner did. Boughner coached the Windsor Spitfires when Kadri was playing junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers and London Knights.
“Watching him, from where he came in junior, he’s always been a skill guy, but to watch him play now, he plays that 200foot game,” Boughner said earlier this week when the Leafs hit Florida. “The Leafs have worked hard with him with that, and he takes pride in it.
“He’s a hard guy to play against. He’s an intense player. He’s turned into a real good pro. His game has really matured.”
Kadri has points in eight straight games (five goals, four assists) and scored the only goal in regulation time in Toronto’s 2-1 shootout loss to Florida on Wednesday. It’s the longest streak of his career. In 2013, he went seven games.
“It feels great (to score),” said Kadri. “That’s one way to contribute, and it makes the game more fun when you’re scoring goals and contributing. That’s not all I care about. Wins are the most important thing. But I have to focus on being reliable, and responsible on the defensive, and taking care of some good lines. Offensively, it’s been going pretty well. When you get those opportunities, it feels like the momentum thing.”
Against Florida, he showed that edge he walks on. Kadri received a retaliation penalty late in the third for a cross-check that went uncalled. The penalty carried into overtime and the Leafs were able to kill it off, but it could have been costly.
“I haven’t addressed it, but obviously you can’t put yourself in front of the team,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said.
Still, Kadri has only taken four minor penalties this season while the opposition has been called for 11 minors on Kadri. Overall, Babcock says he’s thrilled with Kadri’s continued progress.
“He’s figured it out,” said Babcock. “Sometimes, what happens is you arrive in a place and get credit for a guy that is suddenly playing better. Really what happened is that he came of age and matured and made up his own mind.
“Naz, we play him against the best people all the time. On the road, they choose not to play against him as much as they can. In saying that, he plays hard. He’s earned that. If he gets to the net, he can score, too.”
Alternate captain Morgan Rielly sounds very impressed with Kadri: “He’s one of the best players in the world. That’s what we expect out of him.”
“We play him against the best people all the time . . . he’s earned it.” LEAFS COACH MIKE BABCOCK ON NAZEM KADRI (PHOTO)