Nazem Kadri: Should he stay or should he go?

There was a time when Leafs prospects were rushed into the NHL the way celebrities are rushed into cordoned-off VIP rooms. Ready? Not ready? It really didn't matter. If you had promise, the team's desperate modus operandi was simple: Catapult you into the big league, hope for the best and then whistle nervously when you cracked like a walnut under pressure.

But things have changed.

For the first time in a long time, the Leafs have depth. So while the subtext in last night’s 3-2 win over the Flyers was the future of Nazem Kadri, the fact we're even wondering if he should stay or go is very good news indeed.

Just ask Allan Bester or Luke Richardson.

When Brian Burke was in Anaheim, the Ducks and their AHL affiliate at the time, the Portland Pirates, combined to play in 14 playoff series, more than any other organization. As Burke told me: "You have to have pressure from below. The guys have to be nervous about what's coming."

It doesn’t hurt that young players want to play in Toronto, something that wasn't always the case (just ask Craig Simpson).

Francois Allaire, the Leafs goaltending consultant, has helped guys like Patrick Roy and Jean-Sébastien Giguère backstop their way to Stanley Cup victories. Allaire's presence within the Leafs organization is important. Young goalies like Jussi Rynnas and Ben Scrivens signed with Toronto because they wanted to work with Francois.

As for Kadri, he scored in the shootout last night with a dazzling move, which was almost identical to this goal from 2009 preseason. He worked hard all summer. He gained weight. He focused on his defensive game. He did everything coaches and management asked.

But as Ron Wilson observed last night: "I don't think he's played up to the way he did last season."

There's still time for Kadri to earn a spot in the lineup before the season starts next month. But there’s no rush. And that's something every Leafs fan should be happy to hear.

PHOTO: DAVE CHIDLEY/CANADIAN PRESS

Comments

[PastaPuck]

There is no need to have Kadri stick on the Leafs this season. Simply making the playoffs is only going to happen if the majority of the roster over-performs. The building process to having a true contender is going to take a few more years at least. If he centres the first line on the Marlies and plays a lot of minutes he'll improve and his hunger to be on the Leafs will keep him driven. The AHL system worked pretty well for Getzlaf and Perry.

[WIlly]

To be honest, I am sick of hearing about this player. If you have to ask the question, he doesn't belong. Those of us who are older will remember that it took Wendel Clark one shift to show that he belonged in the NHL -- yet the hype surrounding him was non-existent compared to this player. From what I have seen and heard, his biggest weakness may be believing the the hype that has been generated by left-wing media. He is simply not that good. He did not excel at the world juniors, and he will not excel here unless he learns to play within himself and against mature men. The Marlies is where he belongs.

[Drew M]

The talk of Kadri playing on the 3rd line is the kind of move that has killed the Leafs all these years. Kadri was drafted to be a top tier player, not a plugger (see how Schenn ceiling dropped from a Scott Stevens calibre player to a Aki Berg calibre player by being rushed). Kadri should be sent to the Marlies to hone in his skills as a #1 and not plod along as a #3/4/pressbox player with the big club.

[Rick]

I'm not going to rip the kid, but the few times I've seen him play I wasn't too impressed. I expected him to be one of the top dogs in the WJC and he was barely noticeable. He obviously has talent, he just has to show it at this level.
Playing on the fourth line or sitting on the bench won't do him any good, sending him to the Marlies will only help.

[j-rock]

@PastaPuck: You win the award for the silliest comment I've read all week, and it's been quite a week in the comments section of the Star.

"From what I have seen and heard, his biggest weakness may be believing the the hype that has been generated by left-wing media"

Do you even know what you're talking about? What does political ideology have to do with sports coverage? With comments like that, you should run for mayor. You'd probably win.

Kadri will be fine. He's 20 years-old, and coming straight from junior. A bit of time with the Marlies won't hurt him, and may even do him some good. He's demonstrated that he has the skills required to be successful. He just needs some time to adjust to the demands of the pro game, and to learn how to play at his new weight. Rushing him would be the absolute worst thing, and at this point in this team's development, completely unnecessary.

[CPH]

I can't tell from the reports that I've read whether Kadri has actually taken a step back at this season's camp compared to last season's. If so, then it's interesting to speculate why. More pressure to make the team? Is it possible that his bulking up has had a negative effect on his play? Whatever it is, it seems that the Marlies is probably the best place for him, for now.

[Krakondack]

The headline is out of sorts with the article: "Should he stay or should he go?". The real question is: How to get him up to speed in the NHL without hurting the team or him. If after a few more pre-season games he still looks tentative, then I think it's obvious he needs to build his confidence in the AHL first. The competition there is not that far off the NHL, and once you excel there, you're ready.

[Petevh]

In my opinion the only reason Kadri has been hyped to this degree is because the Leafs have been so starved for anything resembling young up-and-coming talent for a long time. Schenn was drafted higher than Kadri and already he looks very ordinary out there, on a good night. Now here's this young guy, a 7th overall pick, and everyone assumes he's not only a slam dunk to be an NHL regular, but a dominant first-line center as well. It's pretty obvious he needs seasoning in the AHL. Maybe after that he can make the team.

[Sherman]

Yes, Keep him down. Worked so well for Carlo Colaiacovo. He always had a great training camp, but kept getting sent down. Eventually his talents were stagnated by playing wil lesser talent. When finally brought up, he wqas labelled a bust and shipped out.
He could have been great but they saved money by keeping his service time in the NHL low.
Nobody screws up prospects like the Leafs! Gook Luck Kadri, I hope they don't ruin your potential as well!

[Miss Molly]

He needs to be in the AHL for the start of the season at least. It seems he is very cocky but that brings added pressure and I don't think he can handle it. He needs to take a look at other young players who came up quickly, Toews, Richards etc., guys who put their head down and work and don't brag about themselves.

[LaLaLa]

I think that we should let him go. The article mentioned that he did what he was told, which is a good thing, but it also mentioned that he just isnty playing as well as he once was. We need strong players if we ever wqant to win the stanley cup again.

[Alibaba]

Kadri is undersized and overhyped by certain, left-wing media outlets. Luke Shcenn was drafted higher, but received much less hype. You may remember that a few years back the leafs had the number one points leader in the OHL. We promptly traded him. Do you know who I am talking about? Again, no hype for him. Kadri is being promoted by certain people for a certain reason that has little to do with hockey.

[Michael Hock-Hertz]

@Alibaba

What "left-wing" media outlets? Who was the OHL scorer? What is the "certain reason?" You sound like a right-wing whacko. I bet you actually listen to Glenn Beck. I've been in the US for a while, do we have a lot of those idiots in Canada since the Harper regime took over? Please tell me it's gonna end soon? Praise baby jesus, I hope so.

[bill d]

Just look at how it took Joe Thornton 5 years of playing in the NHL before he looked like he belonged there. Thornton got 7 points in 55 games in his rookie year with the Bruins. Boston did him no favours by rushing him into the NHL. Schenn, likewise looks nervous on every shift and coughs up the puck with regularity. I think Schenn's confidence is still fragile and sending him down even now would not be an insult but perhaps a necessity. The Leafs should be patient and send Kadri to the AHL if need be. If they keep him with the big club, it had better be because they think they are going to win the cup this year. If not, look at the bigger picture and place Kadri where he belongs. Short term pain for long term gains.

[Spanky]

This young man is a gifted high speed electric hockey player with great hands that needs to start the "REGULAR" season in the NHL knowing in advance the plan that he will most likely only get four to a max of eight games as a taster then pick up with the Marlies as they break their training camp. Unless,...he is cutting it strongly as a 3rd line centre or 2nd line winger with the Leafs. Disagree with most who said he had a horrible WJC and he often played wing (successfully) there as well. If Kessel who is listed as a Centre can play Wing, there is no reason why Kadri couldn't start there. Agree that he is not lighting up the lamp in pre season and has turned over the puck but genearlly not in the shit the bed zone and he does open up the ice for others. He is good on draws and has made some encouraging plays. Relegation to the Marlies because of crystal ball notions is bull. There must be an absolute development requirement for him to be there. Speedy (slight, not power) forwards unlike Dmen have a shorter shelf life remeber that. If he gets accidentally hurt and finished on the farm alot of you will have wished he had seen the show at least.

[jambi]

"But things have changed.

For the first time in a long time, the Leafs have depth."

Uh....what?

That's the whole point...they DON'T have depth, which is why Kadri was a virtual lock to make the team until he injured his hip at rookie camp. If he gets sent down now, it won't be because the Leafs have too many talented centres, it'll be to give Kadri some time to recover and get his game up to speed.

In other words, no, things have not changed.

[James Jack]

I think it has been the case for the Leafs that talented players had to play with the big club because of lack of depth in the organization. I think everyone agrees that Luke Schenn would have developed better had he spent a year with the Marlies. Now that the Leafs have the luxury via depth to send Kadri down, I think that's what they should do. I am still bothered by what happened last year with Stahlberg who also should have spent time with the Marlies. This is one trade away that I am sure we'll end up regretting because this guy has amazing tools. Let Kadri light up the AHL making it impossible for the Leafs to keep him down on the farm.

[Spanky]

Unlike Damien Cox/Vinay I do not agree that Luke Schenn would have developed better at the Marlies. 1. If he had been cut 2 years ago he would have gone back to Jr. 2. If he had been cut last year he only then could have gone back to the Marlies to what extent. 3. He is now two years down the road in the NHL getting quality minutes at this level in many situations and on a young rebuilding team. 4. The Leafs in the last two years were not going to challenge for the Cup so the opportunity to test under fire was a no brainer (same for Kadri now). 5. Next year he is an RFA who has a contract that can be more easily balanced into the big picture as opposed to having 10 young RFA's in the same year fighting for $$$'s where the org can get exposed to crippling offer sheets. 6. He is a Defensive Dman and he was probably never going to be a huge point producer anyways so relax on offensive upsides it is not his forte. He has been learning his trade well and will meet expectations on this young growing team. Cox/Vinay necessarily writes about sports not necessarily knows about sports.

[Rusty]

I believe it is unanimous and obvious the kid has some skill but needs more time at a higher level to mature. Toronto has got to be the most visible franchise which means the most pressure to play in so why kill the kids chances to have a good or maybe great career? Let him be a Marlie and who knows he might even be ready mid season to play up for a few games and go from that point. Learn from the organizations like Montreal, don't open a bottle of wine before its time.