Kadri to play in final rookie tournament game
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri is expected to play in the final game of the Leafs’ rookie tournament on Tuesday in London, Ontario. Kadri sat out Sunday’s game with what was described as ‘discomfort in his hip’, but is said to be in the line-up for the final game on Tuesday.
Dallas Eakins, the coach of the Toronto Mariles, the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, and the head of the rookie team, has made it clear that Kadri will be back in the line-up.
“His hip flexor is such a minor deal it’s not even worth talking about," says Easkins. "Back to back, we didn’t want to push it any further, nor would we do that with any of our players. He’s scheduled to play tomorrow night.”
Kadri was selected seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in the first round of 2009 National Hockey League entry draft. Kadri was sent back to junior last season to play for his home town London Knights and managed 93 points in 56 games with the club. The youngster is expected to challenge for a spot on the Leafs' roster in training camp and therefore has attracted a great deal of media attention in hockey’s biggest market. Consequently, the Leafs have been trying their best to keep Kadri out of spotlight, not allowing the centre to participate in interviews over the last two days.
Eakins explained that Kadri was kept away from the media in order to stay focused and fresh, saying, “I think he’s going to be focused because he’s our first-round pick and you guys are going to ask him the same questions over and over every day. It gets tiresome for a player. We just want to kind of keep him away from that for a couple of days.”
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