The sky isn't falling but....(Kadri)

[moon111]

Offensively, I think in a game of keep away, Kadri would do very well. But just because he can split the defensemen and shoot the puck
very well, doesn't mean he's a great play-maker. He's scored very well when the play-making fell on someone else. Not that he can't
make average top-6 plays, but he's not someone who's going to elevate his line-mates. Getting Tavares might just double the points per game
over Bozak. BUT, taking Marner off of Kadri's line is going to hurt offensively as well. I think if Nylander comes back, he might contribute
nothing to Matthew's line, but could double or even triple Kadri's. Nylander had more assists on Komarov and Brown goals last season then
Kadri did.

Defensively, it really looked like Komarov and C.Brown were more intent on shutting down the opposition and being in a defensively responsible
position, boxing out the opposition in-case Kadri coughed up the puck on a mainly solo rush. It allowed Kadri to take as many risks as he wanted
to with the puck.

 

[Pookie]

Icetime and power play usage (or so I’ve gathered)

I thought so too.

Will be interesting to see if this runoured change results in different minutes in light of that.

I do think that Babcock has instilled a very consistent set of internal rules that players can follow.

You won’t lose your ice time as long as you are working hard. Production slump or not.

Folks lamented Komarov last year who benefited from the rule. But Kadri saw some benefit from confidence in rewarding hard work and it helped as he broke out of that record slump. It should help this year too.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

One thing Kadri has always been good at is getting the puck out to the point, where they then have time and space to make a play. That skill definitely elevates the play of his teammates. If he was on a team like San Jose or Nashville he’d probably pick up a ton of secondary points

 

[Stephen]

They should consider taking him off that PP unit for a time. He’s like the second Tavares out there floating around the high slot without any defined role and he’s like the lowest on the passing pecking order. Could use another defenseman on the point.

 

[Gallagbi]

They should consider taking him off that PP unit for a time. He’s like the second Tavares out there floating around the high slot without any defined role and he’s like the lowest on the passing pecking order. Could use another defenseman on the point.

Would make a lot more sense with Nylander. Tough to "promote" someone right now.

 

[PromisedLand]

i think it is about time that we move kadri get some value for him for D; sign nylander for 7M and go from there.

What would kadri+gardiner get us?

 

[JamieG19]

Who else found it incredibly annoying that the announcers were promoting the idea that Babcock should focus on line matching for Kadri because that might get him going....at the expense of Matthews.

 

[bodechek]

My major concern is the weak blue line and questionable goaltending by Andersen

 

[Pookie]

Who else found it incredibly annoying that the announcers were promoting the idea that Babcock should focus on line matching for Kadri because that might get him going....at the expense of Matthews.

Kadri needs to get Kadri going.

His fanboys will blame everyone else but it’s on him.

 

[JamieG19]

Well the thing is, yes, of course Kadri plays better when he is matched against the other teams best player and therefore, Kadri gets all the ice time.

But it completely screws up the flow of the game for players likes Matthews. Is the goal just to have Kadri play well at the expense of the others?

 

[Pookie]

I remember last year wondering if last year’s 20 game slump was a blip or the start of a downward trend.

Something that happens to all players and on average happens between 27-29 years of age.

Based on the start of this season and we are now 9 games, 0 goals, and a team leading -7.... I’m not wondering anymore.

 

[Pookie]

Well the thing is, yes, of course Kadri plays better when he is matched against the other teams best player and therefore, Kadri gets all the ice time.

But it completely screws up the flow of the game for players likes Matthews. Is the goal just to have Kadri play well at the expense of the others?

Big guns had their ice time reduced tonight.

Not sure it would have made a difference tonight but I swear that was an off-season issue that had Babcock taking a trip to Arizona.

 

[Gallagbi]

Who else found it incredibly annoying that the announcers were promoting the idea that Babcock should focus on line matching for Kadri because that might get him going....at the expense of Matthews.

Matthews hasnt done well with his matchups. This is designed to help him, not hurt him.

 

[AuGsY]

I'm simply baffled at how many people think Kadri is an elite 2C/borderline 1C

 

[CelticDruid]

If Kadri plays another ten games like that he could well find himself mentioned in trade talks for a top 4 D. (Hides in corner waiting for howls of outrage, and the barrage of stones). Nice contract and 30 goals and all that, but that's what makes him attractive to other teams. Mathews and Tavares need more ice time to flourish and Kadri looks like he has been smoking the green stuff. Time for Kadri to get in on the forecheck and start hitting some bodies, he is way too passive.

 

[Pookie]

If Kadri plays another ten games like that he could well find himself mentioned in trade talks for a top 4 D. (Hides in corner waiting for howls of outrage, and the barrage of stones). Nice contract and 30 goals and all that, but that's what makes him attractive to other teams. Mathews and Tavares need more ice time to flourish and Kadri looks like he has been smoking the green stuff. Time for Kadri to get in on the forecheck and start hitting some bodies, he is way too passive.

If you put the gang on ignore... well except for @IPS who sends PMs and calls you a racist while mocking an injured child... you don’t have to put up with all that babbling.

 

[Gallagbi]

If Kadri plays another ten games like that he could well find himself mentioned in trade talks for a top 4 D. (Hides in corner waiting for howls of outrage, and the barrage of stones). Nice contract and 30 goals and all that, but that's what makes him attractive to other teams. Mathews and Tavares need more ice time to flourish and Kadri looks like he has been smoking the green stuff. Time for Kadri to get in on the forecheck and start hitting some bodies, he is way too passive.

Depth would be a big concern. You go from a fantastic top 3 to the worst bottom 6 C's in the league. They'd have to be taking back another C in the deal and that either weakens the return or adds a bad contract.

 

[CelticDruid]

Depth would be a big concern. You go from a fantastic top 3 to the worst bottom 6 C's in the league. They'd have to be taking back another C in the deal and that either weakens the return or adds a bad contract.

That's alright if you producing, but if your not, what's the point. You can always move Marleau into that spot.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Put marleau - kadri - marner back like old times
throw that washed up tavares boi on the third

 

[Pookie]

Depth would be a big concern. You go from a fantastic top 3 to the worst bottom 6 C's in the league. They'd have to be taking back another C in the deal and that either weakens the return or adds a bad contract.

If you add back Nylander is that not an option?

 

[Gallagbi]

That's alright if you producing, but if your not, what's the point. You can always move Marleau into that spot.

Marleau has looked horrific.

Kadri is an asset, just like everyone else on the team. You move him if it makes sense, k just don't think it's an easy move with the crap depth behind him. If you're looking to move Nylander down the middle that could open things up a bit, but then you need a lot of wingers to step up.

 

[thewave]

It would kill Babcock to put Kadri, Marleau and Leivo together. Brown at all costs.

 

[hector morrison]

I'm simply baffled at how many people think Kadri is an elite 2C/borderline 1C

Would you be 'baffled' if it were some other center that scored 32 goals twice in a row?

 

[hector morrison]

Marleau has looked horrific.

Kadri is an asset, just like everyone else on the team. You move him if it makes sense, k just don't think it's an easy move with the crap depth behind him. If you're looking to move Nylander down the middle that could open things up a bit, but then you need a lot of wingers to step up.

Marleau has lost that all important 'half step',which means he needs to contribute in other ways,he's smart but hasn't been effective this year in the early going!

 

[CelticDruid]

Marleau has looked horrific.

Kadri is an asset, just like everyone else on the team. You move him if it makes sense, k just don't think it's an easy move with the crap depth behind him. If you're looking to move Nylander down the middle that could open things up a bit, but then you need a lot of wingers to step up.

On the first line, but play him at centre on the third line playing fewer minutes against lesser opposition. This will increase playing time for Matthews and Tavares. Our two big centres should be playing 22+ a night and I feel that trying to keep Kadri happy will have an overall negative effect on the first two lines. Of course, we could always move Kadri and Marleau around and solve both issues and see if that will kickstart Kadri.