Nazem Kadri and Why He Is the Key to a Toronto Maple Leafs Resurgence

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to find their way back to the post-season for the second time in ten years, Leafs fans can be forgiven for imagining star Phil Kessel, captain Dion Phaneuf or No. 1 goalie Jonathan Bernier leading the resurgence. 

Phil Kessel is a 35-goal kind of guy. He does it every year. Check out his stats.

Dion Phaneuf plays at an established level, too. About 30 points, a slight minus in his plus/minus stats, 23-25 minutes of average time on ice. Same thing every year.

Even Bernier appears to have an established level of play; about a .915 save percentage and a 2.50 GAA.

But the player whose performance could make or break the Leafs' playoff fortunes is none of these.

It's Nazem Kadri. 

While Kessel, Phaneuf and Bernier perform at a fairly predictable level, Kadri's game is still on the rise. If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to find their way back to the post-season, it will be because Kadri's statistics, role, and leadership continue to grow.

Let's take a look at each.

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Nazem Kadri's Statistics

This year, Kadri's faceoff win percentage is very strong. He is winning 53.2 percent of his draws so far in the young season, good for 19th-best in the NHL. 

Adding to his faceoff prowess, Kadri has finally crossed into positive territory with his Corsi For stats, registering a 58.9 CF percentage so far this season, good for third on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.

But perhaps the most important advanced stat is Nazem Kadri's shooting percentage.

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs full-time in 2012-13, Kadri's point totals have been held in check. Coach Randy Carlyle has limited Kadri's ice time (16-17 minutes of TOI), which has held Kadri to 20 goals and 50 points or fewer.

Kadri's shooting percentage shows that the young pivot has more to give.

The NHL average shooting percentage has been below 10.09 since the 1996-97 season. Nazem Kadri's career shooting percentage is 13.9.

If Kadri saw the ice as much as top centreman Tyler Bozak (just over 20 minutes per game), the extra shots and Kadri's above-average shooting percentage would likely help grow Kadri's goal totals, maybe as high as 28-30 goals.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs to enjoy a resurgence this season, Kadri is key. Continued faceoff and Corsi stat success are important. And if Nazem Kadri begins to see some extra extra minutes of ice time this season, his great shot and additional goals would be a boon to a team that relies heavily on its offense to win games.

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Nazem Kadri and Centre Depth

The best NHL teams, the ones that have a truly realistic shot at winning the Stanley Cup, are the teams that have two great centres. 

Emphasizing the key role of centres in the NHL today, NHL.com's Corey Masisak writes:

"

Most [Stanley Cup Champions since 2005-06] had an elite No. 2 center. If an NHL team wants to win the Cup, it had possess an elite centre; two would be ideal.

"

Examples of current teams that rely on two stud centres include;

• Los Angeles - Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter
• Pittsburgh - Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin
• Boston -  Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci
• Detroit - Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg
• Dallas - Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza
• Colorado - Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon
• San Jose - Joe Thornton and Logan Couture

Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri can't be mentioned with the duos of centre stars listed above. But, if Bozak continues to fuel the offensive production of James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel, then Kadri becomes the key to a Leafs resurgence. 

Nazem Kadri must continue his two-year trend of point total increases. Surpassing 50 points this season while maintaining his improved puck possession rates with the second unit will provide the depth needed for a Toronto Maple Leafs resurgence.

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Nazem Kadri and Leadership

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping for a resurgence, beleaguered captain Dion Phaneuf will need help leading the team.

After an off-season filled with leadership questions in the media, Phaneuf can no longer lead the Leafs solo. 

And the biggest Leafs star, Phil Kessel—the reclusive sort that he is—isn't about to step into the intense Maple Leafs media gaze to lend a hand to Captain Phaneuf.

That's where Kadri becomes key to the Leafs' resurgence again.

Kadri has shown a willingness to accept the spotlight, boldly announcing his desire to be the No. 1 centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Kadri can provide this kind of sound byte for the media, a key role for a notable hockey player in the hockey-mad market, while carefully qualifying his remarks.

Beyond his media capabilities, Kadri is seen increasingly as an agitating centre to play against. Just ask Sidney Crosby, who has called Nazem Kadri a "joke" and a "dummy."

Pretty impressive, pestering the cliché-reliant Penguins star into a public whine.

He also suited up for Team Canada in the World Championships in May, saying all the right things and looking for tips to improve from Canada's head coach, Dave Tippett.

All told, Kadri's welcoming approach to the Toronto media, his team-first peskiness and his willingness to learn will all be key if the Toronto Maple Leafs are to enjoy a resurgence this season.

What do you think, Leafs fans? Is Nazem Kadri's development key to the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff chances? Or, is he just another middling forward destined to disappoint?