Nazem Kadri makes a Breakthrough against the Senators
Just when hope was all but lost for Rookie Nazem Kadri the Gods of Ice Hockey smiled down on him. Kadri’s NHL career was threatening to end before it even began. The Maple Leafs gave the young player enough chances to prove he is ready for the NHL but Kadri
couldn’t pull through. Having exhausted Toronto’s patience, it was becoming almost certain that Kadri would be sent down to Toronto’s AHL affiliates.
There is no telling why exactly the very talented Kadri was unable to deliver in any of Toronto’s preseason games until now. The pressure of the big league, personal issues or something even more obtuse, but whatever it was that brought on the slump in Kadri’s
performance couldn’t have ended at a better time for Kadri. The Maple Leafs’ general manager Brian Burke and Ron Wilson had both floated fairly obvious hints that Wednesday night would be the last opportunity for Kadri to make the team.
Wednesday’s game was pretty much exactly what Kadri needed. If that would be enough though, is still unknown. Burke had said earlier that he prefers to have players who have spent time in the AHL. There is the possibility that Burke would want to send Kadri
down to the Minors despite the improved performance. Coach Ron Wilson didn’t feel convinced about Kadri after the game either. He said that to judge a player and the entire body of his work must be considered and not just one game. Ron says that but is he
actually considering Kadri’s performance as a whole? To consider the entire body of work would have to include Kadri’s statistics from the Ontario Hockey League. If that body of work is considered then a good case can be made for Kadri.
“I've been faced with a few hot pressure situations,” Kadri said adding that he had gained a sense that Wednesday’s game was indeed his last opportunity and he couldn’t have made better use of it. He scored twice against Ottawa and one of those goals came
without an assist and exactly when Toronto needed it. He scored the equalizer in the 14th minute of the game and then a few minutes later, he set up the shot which Dion took and Kessel nudged into the net.
His performance tonight was the way the Coach and general manager had expected from him. If tonight had not gone the way it did for Kadri, he would have undoubtedly been sent off to the Minors. Even now his fate isn’t certain but what the game against the
Senators could certainly mean would be that Kadri would stay on until the end of the preseason. The Leafs would be heading to Detroit on Friday and the Red Wings would visit the Leafs on Saturday. Kadri gets another opportunity.
On Tuesday the Leafs sent four players to the Minors. Kadri and John Mitchell survived the cut but Wednesday was their test. Mitchell was unimpressive while Kadri shined. “It's about time I did something out here,” said Kadri. “I capitalized on some chances
and played well.” Kadri shared the top line with Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. Kadri admitted that he wasn’t performing at his best and wanted to break out with the game against Ottawa. He has done as much and it would be a significant boast of confidence for
him according to teammate Jean Sebastian Giguere.
“It's not easy to be a young guy and try to show what you can do,” Giguere said adding that he believed Kadri was extremely talented. “It just remains to be seen if he's ready for the NHL.”
That decision lies with Coach Wilson. He tried to downplay the importance of the game and asked all involved to not try to make a drama out of the whole thing. Wilson said that it was all part of the process that they were following. “Some guys have played
better than others and they make the team based on their performance,” Wilson said.
Another performance or two like that against Detroit and a place on the Maple Leafs Roster would almost be a done deal for Nazem Kadri. All eyes would be on Kadri come Friday.
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