Food For Thought

So you could look at this in at least two ways.

Perhaps Nazem Kadri showed he's not only willing to be challenged, but can respond by playing better.

Or perhaps Brian Burke and Ron Wilson knew exactly what they were doing when they publicly criticized the 19-year-old centre.

While it may, by next week, mean nothing, Kadri certainly showed some maturity Wednesday night in Ottawa with a two-goal, one assist program. He didn't whine, he didn't complain, he didn't sulk. He played a good hockey game, albeit in an NHL exhibition, that at the very least means that if he starts the season with the AHL Marlies he went down with a bang.

The last few days, of course, have been a vivid illustration of the fact that there's nothing in hockey quite like being a first round pick of the Leafs.

Other teams send their first rounders to the minors, or juniors, and not a word is said. Nobody in Montreal is calling Jarred Tinordi a failure. In Vancouver, they'd have liked to have seen Jordan Schroeder make the big club, but that's a pretty good team. Ottawa's Jared Cowan doesn't look ready for NHL action, and he was taken two places after Kadri in the '09 draft. The No. 11 pick, Ryan Ellis, is already back in junior. Brayden Schenn, the fifth pick that year, may or may not make the L.A. Kings.

The Kadri story, on the other hand, was a soap opera at Leaf camp last year, and a bigger one this year. Last year, many were arguing he deserved to be in the NHL. This year, others have been suggesting he's just another blown pick by the Leafs. Lacking in both viewpoints is a modicum of perspective.

Players arrive and develop at different speeds. Some struggle, then take off. Some take off, then struggle. Anybody care to remember Lanny McDonald's 14-goal effort as a Leaf rookie more than a quarter-century ago? And he turned out okay.

After his strong effort against the Sens, of course, there will be those who say this proves he should crack the Leaf roster. Well, maybe that's true, and certainly he's done more in one game than John Mitchell has accomplished the entire pre-season.

But don't be shocked if Kadri still starts in the minors. The Burke administration, you see, doesn't look at sending a young player to the minors as insulting him. More to the point, regardless of this one game, there is still nothing wrong with Kadri proving himself in the AHL, then moving on to the NHL.

Then again, maybe the Leafs will keep him. Maybe, knowing their supposedly deep and talented defence and the goaltending tandem of J.S. Giguere and Jonas Gustavsson is likely going to average three goals against a night, the Leaf braintrust will figure they need all the offence they can get.

Kadri made his case Wednesday night. But he didn't sew up a spot. Then again, he may not yet be done making his case.

Comments

[Guelphdad]

Another thing to think about. Is it realistic to think that a player should/shouldn't make the big league club based on 5-10 exhibition games?

The club has to know where a player (Kadri or any other developing player) is at talent wise and also the ability to use that talent to play against top competition. They should have a pretty good handle on it already and not have the sole basis be a handful of games to make the decision.

[Matt B]

He played well tonight for sure and showed that he has great on-ice vision. But that's not going to keep him in the NHL; he is sloppy with his defensive zone coverage and turns the puck over too much in the offensive zone. About 30-40 games in the 'A' will be a good thing for him. Just ask Bozak.

[Jack]

Agree Damien: I think the kid has earned one more shot at making his case, based on tonight's performance - but there is a difference between an elite junior player and a capable NHL player. Let him put together 2 games where he shows determination and involvement, and puts up points - and then think about sending him down anyway to become a professional which I would prefer. He can always come up again in May. This kid has "it" - but you gotta be patient.

The thing which worries me about Kadri, is his ego as expressed via the media. Dare one say "blue and white disease" - meaning a potential sense of entitlement? I would send him down for that reason primarily, just to nix it.

[Faraz Farooqi]

well said Damien.. one thing though, it is quite disappointing to read and hear of the cut-throat propaganda against Nazem amidst all of the pressures that he has had to put up with during this pre-season. I watched the pre-season games and pretty much everyone looked rusty including Versteeg, Phaneuf, Komisarek, Bozak, Kessel and others with the exception of Kulemin. I know Kessel has 4 goals but really he is 1/5 of the way where he left off last season; however to zoom in on Kadri seems in excess and the incessant chatter and the cross-chatter around "oh he is no big deal","not NHL ready", "he is over-rated" -- I mean gimme a break..do these people know hockey or pretend to be fans!? or do they have a bad case of memory loss...case in point: development of quality players like Parise, Crosby, Heatly -- who were all defensively horrible in the beginning but when it comes to Kadri, "oh he's gotta learn this defensively", "he's gotta leave junior mistakes behind"..blah blah blah...one game and he has 3 points! more than Mitchell and Brent combined!! and I echo your words Damien where you conjectured that for Nazem it may just be the beginning of something extra special....

Go Leafs Go! ...and Nazem starts the season with the Leafs

[vuxes]

The kid is talented and ready to go. He's got fire in the belly. I say let him show what he can do, with the coach and veterans there to support and help. Another year in the AHL won't teach him anything he doesn't already know. He needs the NHL challenge to grow to his full potential. Don't nix that enthusiasm.

[David]

I just don't get why Kadri is getting such a hard time and being treated as though he has an ego problem or is too cocky. I have only ever heard him sound mature, humble and passionate. This notion that he is somehow entitled to play in the NHL is a media creation and Wilson and Burke's comments about him were facile. Like playground games to try to motivate him. Just childish as far as I'm concerned. I would like to see Wilson supporting and giving encouragement to this very young player instead of hanging him out to dry like he does. Wilson is about as charming as a snake. I don't know how the players put up with his snarky comments.

[Dana]

Come on everybody take a deep cleansing breath now. The OHL may be a good league but its not the AHL and its certainly not the NHL. Rushing a 19 year old OHL player into the NHL has almost never been worth the potential damage to the confidence of the kid in question. Especially one that hasn't even filled out a man sized physique. Relax and let him develop into the star he's going to be. Maybe even before this season is out at the rate he seems to be developing. But there's nothing to be gained by throwing him into the lions den before he's even learned how to handle bobcats. Besides his one timer is the pits.

[Backseat Driver]

Why did Wilson wait until the 11th hour to put Kadri on a proper line?

[Sam]

The soap opera, I believe was a media fabrication - As a #1 pick Kadri arrived with unfair expectations. This year He's been under a microscope - his every move analysed and questioned. The kid will be fine - and he should be on the big team, and given the chance to grow as a pro.

[Mike]

It is the media, not the fans saying things like "Last chance for Kadri to impress."

[harp]

It is more the Toronto media that comes out with endless tabloid esque articles with their opinions on Kadri. The leaf fans I know, and the message boards I visit all realize the benefits in sending him to the AHL. It is almost common sense that one pre season for a 19 year old cannot define him, but the media keeps digging for controversy. After Schenn's last season, and the likes of Getzlaf and Perry (need I say more) the benefits in playing in the AHL are obvious. 3 pts or not, Kadri should start there.

[Paul]

Seriously though, what's with the ego? I've never heard quotes quite like from Kadri...

Is he like this in the dressing room, or only to the media? And when's someone going to talk to the kid?

[Dan]

Brent will start and Kadri will be sent to the minors, but no big deal. Brent has earned his spot and Kadri will get his opportunity as soon as the injuries start.

[John]

Why is it that some feel it would be a failure if Kadri didnt crack the lineup and was sent to the marlies ? The kid is 19yrs old !! I agree very much with Damian on this one. Starting with the Marlies would be a great move for Kadri. There he can play on the 1st line, play in EVERY situation and gain valuable experience!! I hope(and judging by Wilson's comments) and think they will start Kadri in the AHL ... and he will be better for it !

[Bruce Ward]

You mentioned Lanny McDonald. I can remember Darryl Sittler's rookie season and I think he only scored 8 goals. I remembered he really struggled for 2 seasons and in his third he was a better player. At that time these guys left junior at the age of 21 years old.
I was pleased to see Naz play a good game. Good for him.

[Joanne]

Kadri would benefit from playing some games in the AHL. Burke will probably tell him that he wants Kadri to go down and dominate at the AHL level like they did last year when he was send back to London.

Leafs fans shouldn't be concerned. Going to Marlies and playing for Eakins will help him develop into a better player. He will have the opportunity work on defensive coverate, to being THE guy at the PP, on the PK and with the game on the line with the Marlies.

[Lewis McClain]

The Leafs need scorers. Kadri is a sniper. What is the big deal. Let the guy play. He has been playing hockey since he was 4 yrs. old. Enough of the "he needs experiance quotes". As one of your other write ins stated. Crosby, and Heatley did not need to become defensive stars in order to play. Snipers do not come along evey day. Play him.....

[Scot Loucks]

Good column Damien.
Of note too is that he played the wing last night. Not centre.

How many 19 year old centres have there been in the NHL over the past decade or so? Rushing Joe Thornton didn't do him any favours in Boston.

The kid needs to hone his craft, getting PP and PK and lots of minutes with the Marlies, even if he plays this weekend and scores a hat trick.

Twas nice to see the rest of the team congratulating him after the game. If nothing else his confidence has been restored (if it ever left).

Cheers

[Conn Smythe]

'The Kadri story, on the other hand, was a soap opera at Leaf camp last year, and a bigger one this year.'

Perpetuated solely by the media. The media are responsible for the 'soap opera'.

[Tom Cheznick]

What's the rush to put Kadri in the NHL? He'll develop just fine in the minors, just as Bozak and Stalberg (and I suppose Hanson) did. If the leafs are that desperate for offence, and are worried about their next pick going to Boston becoming another top five, than sign a veteran and wait till Kadri is really ready.

I'll never understand why JFJ traded away Rask for immediate goaltending help via free agency and put Poggie in the spotlight unnecessarily. So dumb. Imagine if we still had Rask AND Kadri in a few years....

[James Jack]

Kadri is a special talent with special tools. It doesn't matter where he starts the season, this kid can put up offensive points. Some players have it, most don't. Case in point is John Mitchell, big, strong, can skate well, and all and all is a nice looking hockey player. But he will NEVER score in this league like Kadri. When I was coming up and when I was coaching, we taught defense first and foremost, but when we found a player who had a gift for putting the puck in the net, we just let them play because this is a skill that cannot be taught. The problem with this type of player is they have scoring slumps. When slumping, they appear to be absolutely terrible. Kadri will score twice as many goals as Mitchell. or Tim Brent easily. I say he should play in the NHL at least for the last half of the season.

[Jeff Ostic]

I agree Damien, I believe that Kadri will get another game. Perhaps Saturday night at home against the Red Wings.
I am sure that management already has an idea of where they would prefer to see him start at this point. Ten games or so with the Marlies might be just the right choice at the present time. With respect to the balance of the team, one thing that I have noticed is this lack of cohesiveness of the defence. For a team that is priding itself on its quality defence I find them shaky at best. Michael Komisarek in particular appears to handle the puck like a grenade and is easily moved off of the puck for a man of his size. Perhaps his shoulder is still not 100%.

Jeff Ostic

[Adam Steeves]

I think the people saying he is "another blown pick" are completely ignorant. The pressure put on him is so ridiculous, that it wasn't unexpected for him to struggle. I say give him a few months with the Marlies and let him regain his composure. Look how good an extra year in junior followed by a year in the AHL worked out for Getzlaf and Perry. If Kadri hasn't made an impact with the Leafs within the next 3 years then we can talk bust. In the mean time, to all the negative, overly pessimistic, so-called Leaf fans, please keep your incessantly uninformed comments to your self and become a real fan.

[Rahim]

In my opinion, there is such a thing as over-cultivation. What I mean is that its possible that Kadri is on the apex of the learning curve, where he needs to be exposed to the level of play that the NHL provides to really accelerate his improvement. There is a risk that playing in the Marlies at his particular stage of development might actually impede his growth.

He's definitely shown that he can step up to the plate, now he should play in the last two games (and against Detroit, no less!) to show that he can 1) be consistent and, 2) perform under pressure. What I'd like to see is him crack the roster for the first few NHL games and be more properly assessed within a competitive context.

[Stan]

Watching Kadri in Jr. last year was exciting. The Leafs need offensive power and he should be able to provide that. Not too many current Leafs possess Kadri's skills.
Toronto is a better team with him.