Kadri player discssion thread.

[TLeafsFan]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-coach-mike-babcock-gives-nazem-kadri-chance-to-shine-on-the-teams-top-line

It’s the first time Kadri has held this designation to start a season. Flanked by last season’s top goal scorer, James van Riemsdyk, and veteran free agent Brad Boyes, Kadri will feel the heat of balancing the line’s need to score and playing head coach Mike Babcock’s system full of defensive responsibilities.

“Over time, he’ll become the player and the man he wants to be,†Babcock said. “I think that’s a work in progress, but Naz has done a real good job and should feel good about himself.â

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[Punch Drunk Loov]

This made my day - thank you.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Colour me shocked. What happened to Bozak?

 

[Mugzy97]

Man I'm excited to watch Naz play this year. I think he lights it up under the right leadership of Babs.

 

[Bullseye]

Good for him - he's earned it - played better in the preseason than anyone else currently on this team.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Good for him - he's earned it - played better in the preseason than anyone else currently on this team.

I share this opinion as well.

 

[Mess]

Kadri being phased in and Bozak being phased out makes this move a logical one.

However it will be interesting to see how Naz lines up against the other teams top centers and their line faces the top top opposition Dman pairing.

FO% is the key thing I will be watching.

 

[TmlHockeyFan]

Finally, hope it stays like this.

I want Bozak third line. Holland isn't great but I'd peg him 2nd line for now.

 

[LeafGrief]

Finally, hope it stays like this.

I want Bozak third line. Holland isn't great but I'd peg him 2nd line for now.

I feel the same. Bury Bozak and give Kadri and Holland chances to shine. If Bozak plays his way back up, that's great, but I doubt it will happen.

 

[Banic]

Looks like Bozak lost it. Congrats to Kadri hopefully he can make something of it.

 

[The Examiner]

I hope Kadri can take this role and run with it. It's been a long time coming for him. He really needs to work hard defensively. Having JVR/Boyes is no different than having JVR/Kessel, defensively, and a lot worse offensively. It's his time to prove himself and he really needs to step it up.

 

[Kelly]

Awesome, he's looked real good with JVR. Hopefully he can keep it up all year, Babcock seems to like him.

 

[Hockey Talker29]

3 seasons too late, but at least he's finally getting the shot he earned during the lockout season.

 

[SprDaVE]

Hopefully Bozak will be leaped by Holland or Nylander soon as well.

 

[deletethis]

He's the Leafs' de facto number 1 center but I question him having the physical robustness to handle this role through a long season. I think the best use of Kadri this season is equal even strength ice time as Holland and Bozak but with number 1 PP ice time.

 

[wmark]

It was Bozak's job to loose.

Zero points in preseason would do it.

Frattin outscored him.

 

[Kubus]

Hopefully Bozak will be leaped by Holland or Nylander soon as well.

Yes, but I'm thinking more likely Nylander. I like Holland but I see him as a really good 3rd line center in the future, but if he can take over 2nd line duties now I'm up for it as well. I think Holland has looked better than Bozak in the preseason. I just hate Bozak's short stick, I feel like he misses half his passes because of it. I know there are other players that play with a short stick, but Bozak just looks weird with it.

 

[Shwaguy*]

65+ Points with Great 2 way play leggoo!

 

[Guy Boucher]

Spaling has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the preseason, starting almost all of his shifts in his own zone (and not fairing too badly either).

That should help Kadri offensively, who had to play some of the tougher minutes last year.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Kadri being phased in and Bozak being phased out makes this move a logical one.

However it will be interesting to see how Naz lines up against the other teams top centers and their line faces the top top opposition Dman pairing.

FO% is the key thing I will be watching.

I'm sure you will.

 

[wmark]

But Bozak had more Ice Time in preseason.

This doesnt' make sense.

 

[Pookie]

Let the showcasing begin.

Good luck.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Let the showcasing begin.

Good luck.

Yup, good luck Tyler.

 

[AD1066]

Bozak's booster club on here must be reeling.

Say, anyone up for a "gentlemen's bet"?

 

[Joufreau]

Kadri being phased in and Bozak being phased out makes this move a logical one.

However it will be interesting to see how Naz lines up against the other teams top centers and their line faces the top top opposition Dman pairing.

FO% is the key thing I will be watching.

I'm not getting my hopes up for this with Naz but I am excited to see what he can do with more minutes, even if they are against tougher opposition (team's first pairings, etc.)