Nazem Kadri - Civilized Edition

[PromisedLand]

overall I would say looks like komarov is hindering the play of kadri; but based on the recent 5 to 6 games it seems like kadri is hindering the play of kadri

 

[BertCorbeau]

overall I would say looks like komarov is hindering the play of kadri; but based on the recent 5 to 6 games it seems like kadri is hindering the play of kadri

Agreed. Kadri hasn't played great but he's not getting a ton of support from Leo.

Really hope Leo is just saving himself for later in the season as the game intensity amps up.

 

[ULF_55]

overall I would say looks like komarov is hindering the play of kadri; but based on the recent 5 to 6 games it seems like kadri is hindering the play of kadri

With his low TOI tonight, maybe he's hiding an injury.

Really looks overmatched recently so perhaps he's just not 100%.

 

[stickty111]

overall I would say looks like komarov is hindering the play of kadri; but based on the recent 5 to 6 games it seems like kadri is hindering the play of kadri

He is in a slump, but the fact is Komarov still isnt doing anything makes it more noticeable. Kadri was playing well when Komarov was still useless. When Kadri is struggling, thats when Komarov needs to step up his game but he isnt.
Get Kadri away from him(still like Komarov but he is a 4th line PK specialist at this point)

 

[DarkKnight]

I'm cutting him some serious slack, he's had a good season to date, let some other lines pick up the slack for awhile, the fire will return, always does.

 

[PromisedLand]

Agreed. Kadri hasn't played great but he's not getting a ton of support from Leo.

Really hope Leo is just saving himself for later in the season as the game intensity amps up.

Komarov IMO was effective because he played heavy (i.e. hits) so opposition usually passed the puck in a hurry that would lead to mistakes on their part; recent Leo has been playing very Kessel like when it comes to body contact whether he picks it up is to be seen.....

Leo is a good PKer the only thing that has changed in his game 5 on 5 IMO is that he isn't playing his usual hockey with an edge style.

Kadri also needs to find better spots when shooting; he keeps on shooting the blocker side top shelf from LW because he scored 2 goals like that this season. Not every goalie is going to give you daylight there.

Kadri can may be try to mix it up by coming up from RW and taking a shot from there or from the middle. Most of Kadri's shots I have noticed in recent games have come from LW he needs to change that or at least make plays to let other players shoot.

 

[stickty111]

I'm cutting him some serious slack, he's had a good season to date, let some other lines pick up the slack for awhile, the fire will return, always does.

Yeah. He deserves some leeway but the Kadri and Komarov hasnt worked all season. It was managable because Kadri was playing well, but with his slump now, something might need to be done.

 

[stickty111]

Komarov IMO was effective because he played heavy (i.e. hits) so opposition usually passed the puck in a hurry that would lead to mistakes on their part; recent Leo has been playing very Kessel like when it comes to body contact whether he picks it up is to be seen.....

Leo is a good PKer the only thing that has changed in his game 5 on 5 IMO is that he isn't playing his usual hockey with an edge style.

Kadri also needs to find better spots when shooting; he keeps on shooting the blocker side top shelf from LW because he scored 2 goals like that this season. Not every goalie is going to give you daylight there.

Kadri can may be try to mix it up by coming up from RW and taking a shot from there or from the middle. Most of Kadri's shots I have noticed in recent games have come from LW he needs to change that or at least make plays to let other players shoot.

To be fair, Kadri making plays for guys like Komarov to shoot probably isnt a smart idea lol

 

[PromisedLand]

He is in a slump, but the fact is Komarov still isnt doing anything makes it more noticeable. Kadri was playing well when Komarov was still useless. When Kadri is struggling, thats when Komarov needs to step up his game but he isnt.
Get Kadri away from him(still like Komarov but he is a 4th line PK specialist at this point)

I wonder whether Leo has toned down his edgy style on his own or did babcock ask him to tone it down? he is a UFA afterall; isn't he looking for another contract?

Tonight's game was Kadri's worst game IMO. He did not play well at all. If he isn't scoring then at least he should not be scored on so at least it is even steven in the game. But when he gets scored on it is a negative impact on the team.

Usually, someone else picks up the slack and things are okay and then the following game kadri scores while others get scored on so it usually evens out - as long as the total impact is positive its all that matters. but in recent 5 to 6 games kadri hasn't been good.

I don't expect much from Leo but I do expect a lot from Kadri. He is a vet now, he should know if he cannot contribute offensively for whatever reasons - then he should be a very strong defensively at least.

 

[PromisedLand]

To be fair, Kadri making plays for guys like Komarov to shoot probably isnt a smart idea lol

Leo is probably used in the same capacity on Kadri's line as Hyman on Matthews' line. Komaorv's role is to try and get the puck; kadri and brown/marleau will be playmakers/shooters and sometimes Leo can shoot or make plays as well.

But Leo has been a fail when it comes to playing heavy game compared to his past seasons as a Leaf

 

[BertCorbeau]

Leo is probably used in the same capacity on Kadri's line as Hyman on Matthews' line. Komaorv's role is to try and get the puck; kadri and brown/marleau will be playmakers/shooters and sometimes Leo can shoot or make plays as well.

But Leo has been a fail when it comes to playing heavy game compared to his past seasons as a Leaf

I do think it's just his age/play style catching up to him.

I would only be happy bringing him back if it was on a one year deal at a reduced salary and he'd play the fourth line. But since he's liked by Babs and Martin is locked in for two more seasons, I don't think that would happen so I hope they move on from him.

 

[PromisedLand]

I do think it's just his age/play style catching up to him.

I would only be happy bringing him back if it was on a one year deal at a reduced salary and he'd play the fourth line. But since he's liked by Babs and Martin is locked in for two more seasons, I don't think that would happen so I hope they move on from him.

I think after that Ovechkin hit; Leo hasn't played the same at all.

Moore is gone after this season too; so two PKers will be gone of which one of them (leo) was a mainstay and part of your first PK unit.

Moore may be gets replaced by sosh/kappy (depending on who stays on roster)

what about Komarov? Babs hasn't been using any new guys from the main core on PK; it is either going to be a UFA guy or someone new?

they will have to figure this out soon. some of the 5 on 3s we have killed this season Leo and Hainsey have been a huge part of it (of course Freddie/McBackup too)

 

[1specter]

I think after that Ovechkin hit; Leo hasn't played the same at all.

Moore is gone after this season too; so two PKers will be gone of which one of them (leo) was a mainstay and part of your first PK unit.

Moore may be gets replaced by sosh/kappy (depending on who stays on roster)

what about Komarov? Babs hasn't been using any new guys from the main core on PK; it is either going to be a UFA guy or someone new?

they will have to figure this out soon. some of the 5 on 3s we have killed this season Leo and Hainsey have been a huge part of it (of course Freddie/McBackup too)

Eh I don't know about the OV hit comment, Leo had his two best seasons following that.

 

[PromisedLand]

Eh I don't know about the OV hit comment, Leo had his two best seasons following that.

Does that mean OV needs to hit him again?

 

[MR4]

Hyman plays the same game that Komarov played last year, its obvious (to me at least) that Hyman is most suited to be on the shutdown line with Kadri/Brown, sadly Babcock doesn't see it that way. And yeah Komarov definitely needs to be the 4C at this point.

Marleau-Matthews-Nylander
JVR-Bozak-Marner
Hyman-Kadri-Brown
Martin-Komarov-Sosh
Kappy first top 9 injury replacement

PKers: Komarov/Sosh/Hyman/Brown, Marleau as backup
PPers: top 6+Kadri & Brown

This lineup looks like the most optimal lines for the team.

 

[MJ65]

He is in a slump for sure and is having trouble with his offense but he is going to come out of it

 

[ULF_55]

He is in a slump for sure and is having trouble with his offense but he is going to come out of it

He certainly will.

Things sometimes go cold for every player, and the comments about high blocker side are true but maybe that's all he's getting recently.

Babcock has tried a few wingers with him, usually Komarov is part of it, so perhaps Hyman and Kapanen with Kadri might bring some offense to that line.

Kadri has to play a 200' game, but right now there is no offense being generated by anyone there. Back to Kapanen, maybe he can generate the offense for Kadri's line like Marner does the Bozak line.

 

[Joey Hoser]

I do think it's just his age/play style catching up to him.

Could be, but if you look at his whole career at hockeydb, he doesn't actually have a lot of games played for his age, and doesn't have any particular injury concerns that I'm aware of.

 

[JayDog17]

Why does Kadri have to provide more offense? Sure it would be nice, but his best games are when he focuses on being a shutdown centre. Give him Hyman and Brown, and tell him to drive the oppositions #1 line insane. Any offense is just a bonus.

 

[moon111]

Fan comments I'm reading seem to be focused on offense. If you start talking about defense, you could flip this conversation.
Komarov:
-2nd in hits per game.
-2nd (among forwards) in blocked shots per game.
-3rd in Takeaways.
-3rd in shifts (among forwards) in shifts per game.
Is Komarov holding Kadri back? Well with the addition of Marleau, there's just no way one can whine that Kadri doesn't have
the opportunity to have a decent winger. The Leafs have too many offensive options, and still... Kadri has 10 assists. The
fact is, Kadri doesn't offer any better passing ability over Dominic Moore. (Matt Martin is still top-4 for assists per minute)
I'd say without Komarov, Kadri might not even be put on the ice.

 

[Menzinger]

Fan comments I'm reading seem to be focused on offense. If you start talking about defense, you could flip this conversation.
Komarov:
-2nd in hits per game.
-2nd (among forwards) in blocked shots per game.
-3rd in Takeaways.
-3rd in shifts (among forwards) in shifts per game.
Is Komarov holding Kadri back? Well with the addition of Marleau, there's just no way one can whine that Kadri doesn't have
the opportunity to have a decent winger. The Leafs have too many offensive options, and still... Kadri has 10 assists. The
fact is, Kadri doesn't offer any better passing ability over Dominic Moore. (Matt Martin is still top-4 for assists per minute)
I'd say without Komarov, Kadri might not even be put on the ice.

Simpler explanation is that Leo, his most common linemate has stone hands this year (regarding Kadri’s assist rate).

 

[Menzinger]

Could be, but if you look at his whole career at hockeydb, he doesn't actually have a lot of games played for his age, and doesn't have any particular injury concerns that I'm aware of.

I also suspect Leo’s age is the likeliest explanation for his decline in play. The human body of a 30-something just isn’t as athletic as one in their mid 20s.

Yeah there are some physical freaks who defy this, but most players just get hampered by age. Doesn’t mean he’s done as a player yet though, just that we shouldn’t necessarily to expect him to play at certain levels as he could in the last.

 

[stickty111]

Simpler explanation is that Leo, his most common linemate has stone hands this year (regarding Kadri’s assist rate).

Leo was a solid player who you could put with a skill player, but he has regressed to a PK specialist 4th liner. Still useful but shouldnt be in the top 6 especially not with our 2nd best centre when Matthews is healthy. We should move on from and give guys like Kapanen a spot.
Also not related to the topic, this might be an unpopular opinion, but Lou might be the weak link in the management. Again just my opinion.

 

[Pookie]

Simpler explanation is that Leo, his most common linemate has stone hands this year (regarding Kadri’s assist rate).

Well his point about Marleau is valid though.

 

[Minus Mitch]

Fan comments I'm reading seem to be focused on offense. If you start talking about defense, you could flip this conversation.
Komarov:
-2nd in hits per game.
-2nd (among forwards) in blocked shots per game.
-3rd in Takeaways.
-3rd in shifts (among forwards) in shifts per game.
Is Komarov holding Kadri back? Well with the addition of Marleau, there's just no way one can whine that Kadri doesn't have
the opportunity to have a decent winger. The Leafs have too many offensive options, and still... Kadri has 10 assists. The
fact is, Kadri doesn't offer any better passing ability over Dominic Moore. (Matt Martin is still top-4 for assists per minute)
I'd say without Komarov, Kadri might not even be put on the ice.

This is exactly it. Komarov hasn't played well of late and Kadri isn't good enough to do it with Komarov's help. Kadri scores bang in goals. It's rare he beats a goalie with the muffin shot of his. Most overrated Leaf by a mile.