Is the Toronto Maple Leafs' Nazem Kadri Really Ready for NHL Duty?

Heading into the 2010-11 NHL season there may not be a more important player for the Toronto Maple Leafs than rookie forward Nazem Kadri.

Originally drafted with in the first round of 2009 NHL entry draft (seventh overall), Kadri has impressed at the OHL and World junior levels.

Last season Kadri posted career highs in goals (35), assists (58) and points (93) as a member of the London knights. While Kadri posted solid totals and had a tremendous playoff (nine goals/18 assists for 27 points in 12 games), he was often criticized for his penchant for holding onto the puck too long and being a little overzealous to shoot the puck at times.

Over the summer Kadri put on somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 pounds of muscle to his skinny 165 pound frame, something he had to do to make it to the next level.

The next step in Kadri’s evolution was the rookie tournament, a place where many critics felt he was out-shined by the likes of Jerry D’amigo and Marcel Mueller—to name a few.

During the rookie tournament Kadri demonstrated a willingness to take the body and engage in physical play. Where he lacked was scoring prowess, but given the fact that it was early and Kadri looked to be doing the “little things” right, there was no panic from the Maple Leafs coaching staff and management.

While still early, and with the NHL season a few more weeks from commencing, Kadri looks to be on the right track to crack the Maple Leafs roster, but he hardly looks dominant.

During the Maple Leafs pre-season action against Ontario rival, Ottawa Senators, Kadri once again failed to score, notching just one shot on net—in the third period no less.

While very effective in the face off circle (9-16/56 percent), Kadri once again failed to establish himself as a legitimate offensive threat—something the Maple Leafs badly need Kadri to do if he is to earn that coveted second line centre job.

With the Maple Leafs thin up front, it’s all but a certainty that Kadri makes the team out of training camp. That said, given Kadri’s struggles and inability to find his consistency offensively, I have been left disappointed with this apparent “blue-chip” prospects progress thus far.

As it stands right now, Kadri looks destined for the Maple Leafs third line. That said, if he continues to come up short in the offense department, Kadri may soon find himself
down with the Leafs AHL affiliate, Toronto Marlies, for a stint in the AHL so he can get his confidence up and his offensive game going.

“Naz”—as he was nicknamed in junior, looks to have a long way to go before he can be considered a legitimate threat on this Leafs roster, a fact that has to have the Leafs brass more than a little worried and disappointed.

Until next time,

Peace!