News Article: Nazem Kadri: Wrongly Undervalued In Leafs Nation

[Bullseye]

I expect him to hop on one leg and be the best at it.

 

[deletethis]

He's going to be a good 2nd line center on a good NHL team or a 1st line center on a bad NHL team. He has overall abilities and has an extra competitive gear for "big games".

 

[Bullseye]

He's a good 2nd line center on a good NHL team or a 1st line center on a bad NHL team. He has overall abilities and has an extra competitive gear for "big games".

My hope is that he has a dynamite year so we can trade him at TDD and recoup a 1st rounder for him.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Who undervalues Kadri? Everyone just points to his 5 on 5 and boasts what a diamond in the rough he is while turning a blind eye to his laziness, his lack of size, overall production (39 points), blames his linemates, his coach, his suspension... all the smart marks give this guy a pass.

Prove the bolded or just stop making things up.

Well, I think the vitriolic anti-Kadri posters can agree that if he wasn't so lazy, he would be bigger.

My hope is that he has a dynamite year so we can trade him at TDD and recoup a 1st rounder for him.

Yes, let's hope Kadri has a productive year so he can be traded for a late 1st round pick which in another 5 years might turn out to be a player half as good as Kadri.

 

[Liminality]

Do you know who led the Leafs in PP goals last season? This player produced.

Bottom line I suspect is, if players produce they will get the carrot this year. Player who do not will get the stick.

You don't simply bench your most productive PP goal scorer to accommodate favourite players, we are trying to eliminate entitlement off this roster to a more accountable culture. Most I have read here want this.

I think it's more about where Bozak is in his career. He's in his prime right now at 29, this is the best Bozak we're going to see. Bozak just like Kessel would be wasting his talents here when the Leafs are going in a different direction.

I think the Leafs take the chances with their young players this year and Kadri (turning 25 this year) is in somewhat of a do or die situation.

I could even see a situation where both are gone by the end of the season.

 

[Bluelines]

Kadri a guy with hands of gold and a hockey sense of a horse. He dominates as a 3rd line center and is meh as a 2nd line center.

He's young and if he takes Shanny's warning last year seriously could be a quality 2nd liner, if not he will be out of the league in 3 years.

Kid needs to get his head in the game.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Even if you ignore advanced stats, Kadri put up 40 points as the match up center. That's 2nd line production in circumstances tougher than the average 2nd liner face. Even ignoring all the usual points in his favor and looking only on his (perceived to be) worst season, he's a decent 2nd liner.

 

[mikebel111*]

My hope is that he has a dynamite year so we can trade him at TDD and recoup a 1st rounder for him.

This isnt NHL 15 buddy
Also Kadri should get to play with talented linemates this season. Which completely inflated #42's stats
Bozak should realize you need to work not being handed things.
Lets hope he works for it like Kadri already does

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Even if you ignore advanced stats, Kadri put up 40 points as the match up center. That's 2nd line production in circumstances tougher than the average 2nd liner face. Even ignoring all the usual points in his favor and looking only on his (perceived to be) worst season, he's a decent 2nd liner.

I don't think this Mgt team are looking for just decent from Kadri. If this was the case he would have been signed long term and would be a core piece of this team. The time for decent is in the past. We are looking for better performances from players to make the step into contenders.

 

[Gary Nylund]

A offense first player with limited defensive acumen. He was also 183rd in points/60 among forwards this past season, which makes him a great 3rd liner, or a bottom of the barrel 2nd liner. A far cry from what he's made out to be here.

FWIW, even Tyler Bozak was above him.

In simple terms, he's terrible.

If you think Kadri is a 3rd liner and Bozak is a better player then you're beyond hope.

wow this is crazy

The Leafs' 1-year deal is telling Kadri that he has his chance to prove himself this year and if not, see ya later. I agree with that totally. I'm surprised he's even been given another chance this year. So far he's been hit-and-miss, mostly miss, his entire career. Flashes of brilliance mixed in with.. nothing. A few pretty goals... but amongst that, absolutely nothing. Oh but wait it's Carlyle's fault or Kessel's fault or Wayne Gretzky's fault. Ok.

Damn - is it any more complicated that that? Some of these posts are sinking into mathematical black holes with these ridiculous, microscopic "stats"... the guy is either NHL cailber or not. Who cares if he was on the ice for 28% of Leaf powerplays or if he was off the ice for 64% of opposing team goals or whatever... some of this "statistic" stuff reaches depths that are too embarassing to mention... the guy is either a true asset and a hard player for this team or not. So far, he's been walking the line. Period. This year, MLSE is telling him to either walk above the line, or sink. Man up, or don't man up. Up to him, But right now, I'd guess that the majority of Leaf nation still see Kadri as kid, who's full of juvenile, immature responses in interviews and not ready to go in the ice on a daily basis. Definitely not a warrior type player, who's ready to battle hard for 82 games. Fight hard for a few games, and take the rest of the nights off. In other words, a big disappointment. A Waste or potential talent. Trust me when I say that the majority of adult (older) Leaf fans say this. He's a shame, because he looks like he's gonna cash his mil this year and then fade. They're just not sure on him, and truly do doubt him. Like most of us.

Babcock is all about true warrior, fighting-type players. That's what Detroit was during his entire stay. Real men, real warriors, fighting hockey players who played to win. And well, they won staneley cups.

Kadri? One of those types? That's a laugh. Big time. There are men, like the ones that played for Detroit all those years and won cups - and then there's.. Kadri. Not even in the same universe.

You guys think Babcock will stand for that? If Kadri floats again this season, Babcock will bench Kadri's ass until they can get rid of him. And with Babcock, he has the power to actually do that.I hate to say this, but I've always loved Kadri's youthful vigor - but it's worn off now - he's a little older -and has done nothing all these years. Grow up man, start playing - or else.

Either way - the guy cashes in 4 million+ bucks. Pretty good deal eh? Keep it in perspective, people. Don't get attached to this. Rich, millionares making more per game than we do in an entire year. We work hard 365 days a year , while Kadri might show up for a few games. Keep your eyes open people. Enjoy the entertainment but don't drown in it.

Posts like this make me a little sad that people who know how to write english can have close to no reasoning skills whatsoever. If you have nothing of any substance to say and just want to spew hatred, why even post?

The funniest part is you claiming to speak for "the majority of adult (older) Leaf fans". Buddy can you spare some ego? Where do delusions like this come from I wonder?

 

[AD1066]

You don't simply bench your most productive PP goal scorer to accommodate favourite players, we are trying to eliminate entitlement off this roster to a more accountable culture. Most I have read here want this.

Speaking of entitlement, you want to hand Bozak the 1C spot again despite five years of pedestrian production...

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Give Kadri 20 minutes a night, FFS. This season should be perfect for that. Unless he looks like complete trash early on, there is no reason why he won't be logging the most ice time among our forwards. If I see Bozak get 20 minutes in a game one more time.... I don't even know.

I don't even know either. Bozak getting his icetime sucks so bad.

 

[Bullseye]

This isnt NHL 15 buddy
Also Kadri should get to play with talented linemates this season. Which completely inflated #42's stats
Bozak should realize you need to work not being handed things.
Lets hope he works for it like Kadri already does

Nothing you said I have any problem with. He can be a decent 2nd liner but he wants to be paid a lot more than that and motivation and discipline are the key points his career path - let's see what happens. Sell high is a good motto approaching the TDD when other nice pieces are coming up behind him.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Nothing you said I have any problem with. He can be a decent 2nd liner but he wants to be paid a lot more than that and motivation and discipline are the key points his career path - let's see what happens. Sell high is a good motto approaching the TDD when other nice pieces are coming up behind him.

He can be? He is a good second liner. Source on his contract demands?

Who exactly is coming up behind Kadri to replace him? Holland? Not much of a chance. Does anyone imagine that Nylander and Marner are both going to be ready to be top centers by 2016?

This urgency for Kadri to "shape up or ship out" is entirely manufactured.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I expect that this is the year we will see how good Kadri really is. He will get top line minutes and power play time. Depending on whether he runs with it or drops the ball we will learn if we will be keeping him as a piece of the rebuild or dumping him.

I think you are pigeon holing him into a one year tryout. I though his game declined last year. Let me explain. He was slower and lost his jam. Maybe he was in that messed up stage players all seem to have bite them once or twice.

He's a skilled player that could always skate better than most with quickness. His quickness was absent. Chances are his quickness will return this year and Babcock will absolutely drive him to be better in all situations.

He should undoubtedly have the #1 powerplay minutes. Its his turn and nobody else deserves it more on the roster. He is still going to have rough patches like every other player though.

 

[LeafBeef]

He's a special player with his combination of skill and edge. I've always thought with capable wingers he'd be a brad marchand with more skill and obviously playing a more valuable position. I think if he comes ready to work this season Babby's gonna love the kid. I think a 70 point season is a bit much considering our line up but 50-60 points, throwing some big hits and generating power plays and ill be very happy.

 

[Menzinger]

It will be interesting to see who his wingers will be. I suspect they will be Winnil and Lupul which would allow JVR to be alongside whomever wins the #2 centre spot be it Holland or Bozak.

I'd like to see Kadri with JVR, but the team will want to spread out the offense.

 

[LeafingTheWay]

I think you are pigeon holing him into a one year tryout. I though his game declined last year. Let me explain. He was slower and lost his jam. Maybe he was in that messed up stage players all seem to have bite them once or twice.

He's a skilled player that could always skate better than most with quickness. His quickness was absent. Chances are his quickness will return this year and Babcock will absolutely drive him to be better in all situations.

It's because he was more aware defensively. By slowing down his speed and using it when appropriate, he was able to become even better at the possession game and defensively. I think that was the right step for Kadri to up his game, and I don't see it as a decline in his game. He even produced at a better rate than the 1st line. It seemed like his skating was like Tavares there, as in being purposely slow while controlling the play and then launching himself when the right opportunity came.

 

[LeafingTheWay]

Do you know who led the Leafs in PP goals last season? This player produced.

Bottom line I suspect is, if players produce they will get the carrot this year. Player who do not will get the stick.

You don't simply bench your most productive PP goal scorer to accommodate favourite players, we are trying to eliminate entitlement off this roster to a more accountable culture. Most I have read here want this.

You don't bench your best PP goal scorer. But the exception to that rule is when that best PP goal scorer was leeching off of Kessel the whole time (12 G and 5 assists for Bozak, and 6 goals 17 assists for Kessel). That part was clear, Bozak has only a few elements to his game that surpass Kadris. Faceoff and PK, that's it (Otherwise known bottom-6 specialists).

If this was at the end of last year (2013-2014), Bozak wouldn't even have the PP arguement. Kadri had the best points/60 on the PP last year.
Another interesting thing?

From 2012-2015, Kadri has produced at the 2nd best rate on the PP (Only behind Kessel). Kadri's points on the PP in that time are on par with Bozak (Bozak 33 and Kadri 31), despite being on the 2nd PP and playing over a 100 minutes less than Bozak. People don't see Kadri as being as good as Bozak on the PP because Kadri doesn't produce during his limited time, with ****** PP linemates and 4% more Dzone starts (Which is not that small considering Bozak has as many Dzone starts as Kadri on the PP, but 300 more offensive zone starts).

So again, Bozak only has faceoffs and PK over Kadri. There is literally nothing else to support Bozak over Kadri. I'd rather bench the faceoff specialist over our best, productive top-6 C.

But you're right though, the new management will favour players who show up to games and produce results worth keeping. It's a whole new season, especially with rentals playing as hard as they can for bigger contracts.

 

[LeafingTheWay]

Who undervalues Kadri? Everyone just points to his 5 on 5 and boasts what a diamond in the rough he is while turning a blind eye to his laziness, his lack of size, overall production (39 points), blames his linemates, his coach, his suspension... all the smart marks give this guy a pass.

Hell even a management team full of advanced stats savvy personnel didn't want to give him a contract. Kadri still has literally everything to prove to become a legitimate top six player let alone elite C. He can't even steal Tyler Bozak's job.

I don't think you understand how to compare points...
Literally, his defensive game was great, lead the team in points/60 and was 3rd on the team for overall production. If I'm not mistaken, being top-3 on this team means he produced at a 1st line rate for the leafs no? You can't see he only produced 39 points, and then not look at PP, teammates, zone starts and finally look at his play relative to others on the team.

The logic you're using compares to:
Horvat only scored 19 pts this year, he's a 4th line C and no more.
or
OEL sucks because he was the #1D on a bottom-3 team.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I expect him to hop on one leg and be the best at it.

I expect the wife to hop on one leg and be the best at it too.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

It's because he was more aware defensively. By slowing down his speed and using it when appropriate, he was able to become even better at the possession game and defensively. I think that was the right step for Kadri to up his game, and I don't see it as a decline in his game. He even produced at a better rate than the 1st line. It seemed like his skating was like Tavares there, as in being purposely slow while controlling the play and then launching himself when the right opportunity came.

You are likely on the money because i seen a tweener game that lacked some natural instinct and reaction. A disciplined game absolutely. Hopefully he reacts naturally to the game instinctively on both aspects this year. Defensive play is hard work too and on that end of it he definitely improved.

 

[TMLegend]

If you think Kadri is a 3rd liner and Bozak is a better player then you're beyond hope.

I didn't say that. I was just pointing out what the stats told me. If people get upset that Bozak's P/60 was better than Kadri than that's their prerogative.

 

[RoyalGremlin]

Realisticly I see in the future a 1A/1B line of

JVR - Marner - Brown

Nylander - Kadri - Kappy\Bracco

Two lines with offense and defense. Either can be dangerous.

First time we would ever have a legit top 6 in a long, long time.

And a sick hero line in Kadri-Marner-Nylander

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I didn't say that. I was just pointing out what the stats told me. If people get upset that Bozak's P/60 was better than Kadri than that's their prerogative.

I didn't think his game was very good either and i like him. You don't like him and thats cool. I don't like lots of players that a good percentage of people do.

He is not weak defensively though. The numbers promote that too. You say he has limited defensive acumen. Thats just not true.