Toronto Maple Leafs send prized prospect Nazem Kadri down to the minors
After having a rather disappointing training camp and preseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have sent prized prospect Nazem Kadri down to the minors.
Kadri will begin his season with the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He was unable to secure himself a spot on Toronto’s opening night roster, as his play
was relatively unspectacular. The forward impressed the Leafs’ coaching staff last year, but far less impressive this year.
Brian Burke, the Leafs’ general manager, said that Kadri would benefit from playing in the AHL, as that was how several of today’s star players forged their way into the NHL.
“There are very few guys (at his age) that are ready to step in and make a contribution like we need him to make,” Burke said. “He's got to play on our top six (forwards) if he's going
to stay here. And he's got to respect the American Hockey League, it's a h**l of a league. I told him I gave Ryan Getzlaf the same speech five years ago.”
Head coach Ron Wilson echoed Burke’s statements, mentioning that 19-year-old Kadri needs to work on honing his skills if he ever hoped to make the NHL.
“I can't see him playing in our line-up opening night and I don't think it's that important,” said Wilson. “He's gotta be a better hockey player.”
Kadri himself acknowledged that he had been trying his best, and that the final decision about whether or not he made the roster was in the hands of the coaching staff.
“I'm playing as hard as I can,” Kadri said. “I'm trying to make this team, that's what I want to do. But it's in the hands of the coaches and whatever they decide to do, I'm fine with.”
As he continued his self-assessment, Kadri added that he would not have a problem playing in the minors for a while, as he feels he would benefit from it. He hopes that his strong work
ethic will be noticed by the Leafs, which may result in a mid-season call-up.
“I'm not going to complain at all," said Kadri. “It's a learning process and I'm still a young guy, if it means going to the minors then so be it. My plan, if I do head down there, is
to not be down there for very long. I'm going to work as hard as I can to get right back up here.”
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