Salary Cap: Nazem “Suspension” Kadri – Cap casualty?

[Gary Nylund]

As for Kadri. I say keep him he has proven that he can change as he had done so as a Leaf since his draft year.

His coach also needs to be on top of it long before the playoffs with reminders etc. This along with Dubas getting others who will push back will help Kadri not being the only push back player on the team.

If we get a great offer for him in a trade you move him but shopping him around the league right now would be silly.

He hasn't proven he can change in terms of controlling his temper, if anything he's gotten worse.

I agree they need to be on top of it, not just the coach but whoever else, he doesn't just need reminders, he needs help with anger management. I asked this question a few months ago - did they do anything to help Kadri and if not, why not?

You know Kadri is a favourite of mine and I'd be thrilled if he could turn it around but it would be extremely difficult to start the playoffs with him again and not be on the edge of my seat all the time, worrying about how he's going to react when the temperature rises. There's also that contract, with each passing year the value of that bargain contract decreases simply because there's less years left on it so this might just be the right time to move on from him.

 

[Bluelines]

What blows my mind is not one of our centers plays a lot of minutes on the PK. We need an elite PK specialist who plays center.

 

[18leafsfan18]

Kadri could be a very good #2 C on most teams in the league.

He has the ability to score 30 goals and is solid both ways.

He is never going to get played over Matthews or Tavares (without injuries).

As always, you move him if the return is right, but you would assume you can get a very good return for him.

I just hope he goes to the West if they trade him, would be a new Marchand (not based on skill, based on being a pain in the ass) for us to hate if he is on another team.

 

[18leafsfan18]

What blows my mind is not one of our centers plays a lot of minutes on the PK. We need an elite PK specialist who plays center.

Why can't Matthews are Tavares play PK ?

I can't even remember times when they have for long stretches.

Don't most other teams play their top Cs on PK ?

 

[Bluelines]

He hasn't proven he can change in terms of controlling his temper, if anything he's gotten worse.

I agree they need to be on top of it, not just the coach but whoever else, he doesn't just need reminders, he needs help with anger management. I asked this question a few months ago - did they do anything to help Kadri and if not, why not?

You know Kadri is a favourite of mine and I'd be thrilled if he could turn it around but it would be extremely difficult to start the playoffs with him again and not be on the edge of my seat all the time, worrying about how he's going to react when the temperature rises. There's also that contract, with each passing year the value of that bargain contract decreases simply because there's less years left on it so this might just be the right time to move on from him.

To be fair to Kadri the illegal abuse/unpunished liberties that Debrusk took out on Kadri and other Leafs that game would make anyone one go Sideshow Bob. The most recent suspension is as much on the refs for not calling a fair game as it's on Kadri. If you isolate just one event, most people would lose their stuff but there were at least 4 significant dangerous events that Kadri tolerated before he went Sideshow Bob. Targeting Kadri's knee, falling on Kadri, while Kadri is defenceless on the ice and driving (punching) Kadri's face into the ice multiple times, the multiple charging missed calls. It was clear it was open season on Kadri and the refs were not going to do a dang thing to protect him.

 

[Bluelines]

Why can't Matthews are Tavares play PK ?

I can't even remember times when they have for long stretches.

Don't most other teams play their top Cs on PK ?

I think they come out for the faceoffs but are off the ice once the puck leaves their zone.

There is a danger in playing your top players on the PK. I flinch every time Marner takes a shot off his leg or foot.

 

[18leafsfan18]

To be fair to Kadri the illegal abuse/unpunished liberties that Debrusk took out on Kadri and other Leafs that game would make anyone one go Sideshow Bob. The most recent suspension is as much on the refs for not calling a fair game as it's on Kadri. If you isolate just one event, most people would lose their stuff but there were at least 4 significant dangerous events that Kadri tolerated before he went Sideshow Bob. Targeting Kadri's knee, falling on Kadri, while Kadri is defenceless on the ice and driving (punching) Kadri's face into the ice multiple times, the multiple charging missed calls. It was clear it was open season on Kadri and the refs were not going to do a dang thing to protect him.

Totally agree.

Still believe Kadri did something extremely stupid and dangerous, but it wasn't out of nowhere.

Debrusk is a punk and plays a really dirty game, then dives all over the ice.

When Chara is retired a lot of those "tough guys" on that team will smarten up a lot.

 

[18leafsfan18]

I think they come out for the faceoffs but are off the ice once the puck leaves their zone.

There is a danger in playing your top players on the PK. I flinch every time Marner takes a shot off his leg or foot.

Yes, there is some danger I guess, but less and less teams are playing the big shot from the D on their PP anymore.

More shots are likely blocked by D on the PK then forwards now (I don't have facts to back that up, just watching most teams PP style).

 

[ToneDog]

What blows my mind is not one of our centers plays a lot of minutes on the PK. We need an elite PK specialist who plays center.

This is what frustrates me about the Goat. Can't teach size but somebody can teach him to PK and become a more useful player. Either that or replace him with a #4C that can.

 

[KuleminFan41]

Why do you have to find those qualities?

Maybe you look for a 3rd line center who is a PK specialist, good face off guy, shows leadership, has high compete level but is not necessarily a offensive threat.

What GM trades a legit top pairing dman for a 3rd line center? C'mon now.

The way this team is built upfront, it feels to me there are a lot of players who are very similar in what they do for this team. If "Jam" is the reason why we are suggesting Kadri stays, $4.5 million is a lot to play for "Jam".

General Managers know Kadri isn't a 3rd line centre and is only there because the Leafs have Matthews and Tavares ahead of him. Kadri is a legit 2nd line centre on most teams in the NHL and any team would want him for what he brings. His point production went down because his deployment was impacted by Tavares' arrival. That doesn't necessarily means he fetches you a top line pairing Defensemen but lets not downplay how good Kadri is here.

 

[Bluelines]

General Managers know Kadri isn't a 3rd line centre and is only there because the Leafs have Matthews and Tavares ahead of him. Kadri is a legit 2nd line centre on most teams in the NHL and any team would want him for what he brings. His point production went down because his deployment was impacted by Tavares' arrival. That doesn't necessarily means he fetches you a top line pairing Defensemen but lets not downplay how good Kadri is here.

Lets not down play the fact as players age their performance declines, lets not down play that Kadri's decline is due to Kadri not capitalizing on shots he would normally score on, lets not down play that Kadri's entire game was off last year, call it post marriage blues, call it aging, call it what ever you want but most GM's would have questions about his ability to be that legit #2 center.

 

[Bluelines]

This is what frustrates me about the Goat. Can't teach size but somebody can teach him to PK and become a more useful player. Either that or replace him with a #4C that can.

Bingo!

 

[ToneDog]

Lets not down play the fact as players age their performance declines, lets not down play that Kadri's decline is due to Kadri not capitalizing on shots he would normally score on, lets not down play that Kadri's entire game was off last year, call it post marriage blues, call it aging, call it what ever you want but most GM's would have questions about his ability to be that legit #2 center.

We did not get the bang for the buck that I expected from Kadri the #3C. Better to trade an asset (in this case a luxury) earlier than later and it might be wise to move Kadri now to a team that needs a good #2C (Jets, Sabres, Canes, Avs, Canucks, Habs ???) for a top 3 dman that fills a big hole.

 

[TML Dynasty]

To be fair to Kadri the illegal abuse/unpunished liberties that Debrusk took out on Kadri and other Leafs that game would make anyone one go Sideshow Bob. The most recent suspension is as much on the refs for not calling a fair game as it's on Kadri. If you isolate just one event, most people would lose their stuff but there were at least 4 significant dangerous events that Kadri tolerated before he went Sideshow Bob. Targeting Kadri's knee, falling on Kadri, while Kadri is defenceless on the ice and driving (punching) Kadri's face into the ice multiple times, the multiple charging missed calls. It was clear it was open season on Kadri and the refs were not going to do a dang thing to protect him.

Yeah I agree to a point too. He reacted due to the refs not calling anything.....but his reaction should have been to drop the gloves and smash him rather than the crosscheck. Now there's also a point that maybe he was targeting a shoulder and it went high for a few reasons but still....dropping the gloves and we may move on in that round.

 

[18leafsfan18]

Yeah I agree to a point too. He reacted due to the refs not calling anything.....but his reaction should have been to drop the gloves and smash him rather than the crosscheck. Now there's also a point that maybe he was targeting a shoulder and it went high for a few reasons but still....dropping the gloves and we may move on in that round.

I agree, but this is very easy to say now.

In the heat of the moment his emotions got the best of him.

For all we know he wanted to cross check him to initiate a fight, but got carried away.

Very stupid and dangerous play anyway you look at it.

 

[Its not your fault]

The Refs in this game got suspended also. I would come to think he knows his time is close that said it's well known he shouldn't be our tough guy. Muzzin learned in a hurry after the first west road trip that it's not wise either. I believe with 7 years together. He may get a spanking. Remember true cancer says don't listen to your assistancent coach's. Not get suspended in a game that the league told the refs after to go home.

 

[Duke Silver]

And I am suggesting his shot is overrated. That’s all. It’s okay to have a differing opinion. Carry on now.

Great supporting argument.

I agree. Watching Nylander fire it wide and the puck bouncing off the boards and back to our end time after time is incredibly frustrating. I think it's fixable and has the potential to be elite, he just has to stop trying to make the perfect shot but until he does fix it, it's ... frustrating.

This last season he was definitely going for the glory and squeezing his stick a little hard. But he actually only missed the net 1.5% of the time more than Matthews did last season, and had less missed shots per game (due to lower volume) than Matthews as well.

I totally get the perspective of "doesn't matter how great his shot is if he doesn't hit the net", but I feel we're over-magnifying things here due to his scoring issues. Quality-wise, Nylander's one of the few players on this team who can beat goaltenders from distance with his wrister.

 

[Cor]

Friedman says there is A LOT of interest in Nazem Kadri. He's not sure if the Leafs want to move Kadri, but teams are calling A LOT about him. Made a mention that very Western Canadian team in on him, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.

 

[ShaneFalco]

It’s no secret that Kadri has been given the short end of the stick when it comes to who he’s on the ice with. His most common linemate this past season was a 39-year-old Patrick Marleau (537:31 TOI), following him was Connor Brown (375:52) and the defenceman with the most time with Kadri was Nikita Zaitsev (331:58).
That is just a murderer’s row of the 2018-19 scapegoats.
Not only were those players able to bring Kadri’s overall performance down to their level, but without Kadri on the ice with them, their shot attempt percentages all decreased by an average of 5.5 per cent.
Without those players chained to Kadri like an on-ice rendition of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, the 28-year-old might have had third consecutive 30-goal season.



Should the Leafs trade Nazem Kadri?

 

[Bluelines]

Yeah I agree to a point too. He reacted due to the refs not calling anything.....but his reaction should have been to drop the gloves and smash him rather than the crosscheck. Now there's also a point that maybe he was targeting a shoulder and it went high for a few reasons but still....dropping the gloves and we may move on in that round.

you wont get any argument from me , agreed his choice of actions was completely personal, without consideration to the team.

 

[Bluelines]

It’s no secret that Kadri has been given the short end of the stick when it comes to who he’s on the ice with. His most common linemate this past season was a 39-year-old Patrick Marleau (537:31 TOI), following him was Connor Brown (375:52) and the defenceman with the most time with Kadri was Nikita Zaitsev (331:58).
That is just a murderer’s row of the 2018-19 scapegoats.
Not only were those players able to bring Kadri’s overall performance down to their level, but without Kadri on the ice with them, their shot attempt percentages all decreased by an average of 5.5 per cent.
Without those players chained to Kadri like an on-ice rendition of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, the 28-year-old might have had third consecutive 30-goal season.



Should the Leafs trade Nazem Kadri?

Maybe Marleau's performance was pulled down by Kadri's poor play... some assume Marleau was the issue.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Maybe Marleau's performance was pulled down by Kadri's poor play... some assume Marleau was the issue.

Well another instance where babcock should have switched things up to see

 

[Bluelines]

Well another instance where babcock should have switched things up to see

So do we drop Tavares to 3rd line C or Matthews?

 

[Gary Nylund]

This last season he was definitely going for the glory and squeezing his stick a little hard. But he actually only missed the net 1.5% of the time more than Matthews did last season, and had less missed shots per game (due to lower volume) than Matthews as well.

I totally get the perspective of "doesn't matter how great his shot is if he doesn't hit the net", but I feel we're over-magnifying things here due to his scoring issues. Quality-wise, Nylander's one of the few players on this team who can beat goaltenders from distance with his wrister.

Thanks, I was actually wondering what the numbers might be and TBH, they're better than I thought. I've often wondered how it's possible that Nylander doesn't score more with that wrist shot of his, hopefully he puts it all together next season.

It’s no secret that Kadri has been given the short end of the stick when it comes to who he’s on the ice with. His most common linemate this past season was a 39-year-old Patrick Marleau (537:31 TOI), following him was Connor Brown (375:52) and the defenceman with the most time with Kadri was Nikita Zaitsev (331:58).
That is just a murderer’s row of the 2018-19 scapegoats.
Not only were those players able to bring Kadri’s overall performance down to their level, but without Kadri on the ice with them, their shot attempt percentages all decreased by an average of 5.5 per cent.
Without those players chained to Kadri like an on-ice rendition of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, the 28-year-old might have had third consecutive 30-goal season.

No question his linemates played a big part of his lessened production, I think usage played a part as well. He was so awesome when he was matching up against the stars, they should have let him continue doing that, if not every game then at least every now and then. He's an emotional guy and I think if they went to him and said OK Naz, we're playing WSH tomorrow and we need you to do your best against Ovechkin tonight, that would mean a lot. It would let him know that he was still a guy they rely on to do important things (at least every now and then) and keep his blood flowing. As it is, crappy linemates and a 3rd line role ... yeah he's a pro blah blah blah but he's only human, he plays with more emotion then most and Babcock should have known that this was not the way to get the most out of him.

 

[Deebo]

Friedman says there is A LOT of interest in Nazem Kadri. He's not sure if the Leafs want to move Kadri, but teams are calling A LOT about him. Made a mention that very Western Canadian team in on him, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.

I was thinking that they may want to re-allocate some cap dollars.

For instance, Zaitsev, Kadri and Brown take 11.1M in cap room.

Rather than split it 4.5M to D/ 4.5M to 3rd line C and 2.1M to 4th line winger, I know Kadri is better than your average #3C, but that's the role he has on this team and it might be a good idea to re-allocate some of his salary to D.

They replace Brown with an ELC/Ennis type (1.0M) which leaves them with 10M.
That 10M could be better allocated 2.5M-3.0M to the 3rd line C and 7.0M-7.5M to D.

Now, its up to management to figure out how to achieve this, but it could be a line of thinking worth exploring.