Why so much scrutiny and hate for Kadri?

[Guy Boucher]

Another powerplay goal, and he was a bit better on faceoffs tonight. He's looking more like a real player than he has in the past, that's for sure. It's just a matter of whether he keeps it up or if he rests on his laurels like he has in the past.

As someone who has criticized Kadri in the past, I find the insinuation that people don't appreciate his talent because of his ethnic background to be insulting. Those with small minds look to that as the only explanation they can come up with, while overlooking more obvious factors like the "I'm entitled to this" attitude he's had since being drafted. I don't remember Schenn or Reilly acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them, perhaps that is why Kadri is not embraced as much. I know it's one big reason why I didn't like him. The race thing is just stupid.

Schenn was a healthy scratch once in his time in Toronto and it was practically front page news. There's a difference, even if you don't want to acknowledge it.

Granted, you can fairly argue that for most people race has not shaped their perception of him but to dismiss it outright is reckless.

Every person from a racialized minority who has made their way to the higher levels of hockey knows exactly what sentiments truly exist out there, even when they are hidden in hockey cliches.

 

[pooleboy]

kadri is a beauty, he is going to be a very good player its more or less how good can he be? I am watching him in limited minutes mostly PP hes playing very well. I think Carlyle just wants to put him in situations to succeed and its paying off, good for his confidence.

i think this is the new way to be a maple leaf, no one questions this mentality in places like Detroit, or Anaheim. Going through the minors having to prove your better than the NHL plug ins and earn your spot so you will know how to prepare for a season. I think a lot of guys who go straight into the NHL have sophmore slumps, or are not as effective as these players. And lets not forget Getzlaf and Perry who were brought up this way, having to earn your spot is good for a proud organization like this, it will soon be "the leafs are this good and are so deep in the farm" instead of "how aren't these prospects in the NHL".

I think the reason Kadri was always scrutinized because he wasn't Brayden Schenn. You knew the whole fanbase wanted Schenn, everyone wanted Schenn and Burke was gonna get him. Instead we got offensively gifted Kadri who has almost identical numbers and is playing at a very high level, i think the hate for him will go away soon enough. I am just hoping he isn't traded for Luongo and it so far looks as he wont be which is so good for this organization.

/end rant

 

[re5piration]

That pass to Liles on the PP was awesome. Kadri will only continue to grow as the season progresses.

 

[Stephen]

Another powerplay goal, and he was a bit better on faceoffs tonight. He's looking more like a real player than he has in the past, that's for sure. It's just a matter of whether he keeps it up or if he rests on his laurels like he has in the past.

As someone who has criticized Kadri in the past, I find the insinuation that people don't appreciate his talent because of his ethnic background to be insulting. Those with small minds look to that as the only explanation they can come up with, while overlooking more obvious factors like the "I'm entitled to this" attitude he's had since being drafted. I don't remember Schenn or Reilly acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them, perhaps that is why Kadri is not embraced as much. I know it's one big reason why I didn't like him. The race thing is just stupid.

Come to think of it, I don't remember Kadri acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them. Maybe I wasn't looking for signs of trouble from him.

 

[Leafs For Life*]

That pass to Liles on the PP was awesome. Kadri will only continue to grow as the season progresses.

He's on a GPG pace, he'll probably get more than 48 though

 

[SpeakerForTheDead]

Come to think of it, I don't remember Kadri acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them. Maybe I wasn't looking for signs of trouble from him.

Exactly what I was thinking. I really don't know where this myth has come from. He has always been respectful in interviews, has always acknowledged he has areas of his game he needs to work on. Yeah, he might be cocky on the ice and he chirps with the other team a lot but thats his game. He pisses the other team off. I never once got a sense of entitlement from him.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Kadri takes pride not in the goals he scores (mind you he celebrates with style ) but rather pride in the more ice time he gets. Him and Bozak have both come out as our 2 best players and I hope them youngin's keep firing away.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Really pleased with what I see in him this year, showing maturity to his game, a lot more solid than previous years. Think the work with Roberts and Eakins deserves a mention. When Kadri hits, he hits solidly. Always had the hands and vision, liked how he came all the way back to Scrivens to play defence. 200 ft game, this was worth waiting for if you are a leafs fan. Lesson here, stop trading our high draft picks, draft/develop/promote.

 

[daveleaf]

This was the player we drafted. I have seen him through OHL and I always thought he was a slippery talented player. He's a little stringer but the biggest difference? Without Burke and Wilson here I think he believes he has a chance. He's buying in to Carlye and playing. I have always liked him and believe he can be a 65 point player for us and maybe more.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

This was the player we drafted. I have seen him through OHL and I always thought he was a slippery talented player. He's a little stringer but the biggest difference? Without Burke and Wilson here I think he believes he has a chance. He's buying in to Carlye and playing. I have always liked him and believe he can be a 65 point player for us and maybe more.

This is a very unfair comparison that is going to be made by me, but he plays a style like Dougie Gilmour, or reminds me of a player of this ilk.

He just knows where to go for offensive chances, and he sees seams in the offensive zone ordinary players cannot.

Now the only thing he needs to do is develop a defensive game. If he does, he will be a very valuable player for us. Nazem always had the offensive gifts, as Gilmour did. But Gilmour became a Selke winner under Demers when he played behind Federko. Demers made him the checking center, and this made Gilmour one of the best 2 way fwds of all time.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Come to think of it, I don't remember Kadri acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them. Maybe I wasn't looking for signs of trouble from him.

Agree Stephen. Luke Schenn was practically a glorified deity in his rookie year by some of these same people who are knocking Kadri. They were calling him a future captain, making Scott Stevens and Shea Weber comparisons. Maybe Luke didn't have a grandiose sense of his own ability, but his fanboys sure did.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

I should also say I've been impressed with Kadri this year. He seems more comfortable which is just letting his natural talent take over (his vision, hands, offense)

I still think he needs to work harder on his faceoff game if he wants to be a center fulltime though. Grabo was able to turn himself from a poor faceoff guy to a decent one with hard work. I think as he gets more experience, and gets stronger (he seems to get out muscled in the faceoff circle) Kadri will progressively improve. I also see, he's working harder defensively, but he needs to get better at knowing where to be, as he sometimes looks lost on defensive coverage.

 

[Johny Drama]

Ive been a big fan of Kadri since day one. Saw him in Kitchener at his first prospect tournament and he lit it up. Took that same form and dominated in his first exhibtion games in the NHL. Of course he needs to improve on certain aspects of his game, but every young player does. Right now he is at a point where he isnt hurting team defensively, and is creating things in the offensive zone. Best part about him...he wants the puck and wants the responsibility.

 

[bunjay]

Agree Stephen. Luke Schenn was practically a glorified deity in his rookie year by some of these same people who are knocking Kadri. They were calling him a future captain, making Scott Stevens and Shea Weber comparisons. Maybe Luke didn't have a grandiose sense of his own ability, but his fanboys sure did.

That was because he had a pretty decent season at a very young age. Then what happened the next season? He really sucked and he was criticized for that as much as Kadri has ever been criticized for anything.

I also recall a lot of people talking about Kadri's 70-80 point potential before he'd ever played a game.

Racism is not lurking under every un-turned stone. You guys are projecting.

 

[daveleaf]

That was because he had a pretty decent season at a very young age. Then what happened the next season? He really sucked and he was criticized for that as much as Kadri has ever been criticized for anything.

I also recall a lot of people talking about Kadri's 70-80 point potential before he'd ever played a game.

Racism is not lurking under every un-turned stone. You guys are projecting.

You know, you have to give people a chance to grow before they become who they are going to be. You don't hire someone in the business world and assume there is not a phase of adjustment, this is even more of an issue with younger people.

I truly believe this guy can become a very productive NHL'er and be an All Star candidate. He has that potential you mentioned but very few players hit that right from the start. I remember a young Damphouse and marveled at his ability but it took a few years to hit his stride and by then we traded him.

All I can say is Nonis is far more patient and because of that our prospects will get every chance to develop and succeed. Finally someone understands the beauty of building long term.

 

[bunjay]

You know, you have to give people a chance to grow before they become who they are going to be. You don't hire someone in the business world and assume there is not a phase of adjustment, this is even more of an issue with younger people.

I truly believe this guy can become a very productive NHL'er and be an All Star candidate. He has that potential you mentioned but very few players hit that right from the start. I remember a young Damphouse and marveled at his ability but it took a few years to hit his stride and by then we traded him.

All I can say is Nonis is far more patient and because of that our prospects will get every chance to develop and succeed. Finally someone understands the beauty of building long term.

I would assume it's the coaches, not the GM, who decides how to develop prospects. And for all his failings as a coach (and nobody knows about those like Leafs fans), and all that he criticized Kadri, Wilson never rushed him. And that might be the only thing Wilson did right while he was here.

I don't understand why all the most rabid Kadri fans feel like it's some monumental injustice that he had to play in the AHL until he was 22 years old. As if that's not a completely normal learning curve. Guys who can play at a high level in the NHL at a younger age are exceptional.

 

[leafspring*]

Want to like his game but cannot. He reminds me of Robbie Schremp and not in a good way. Has good instincts offensively and will probably get better but plays a lazy perimeter game and is still far to weak along the boards and defensively.

I'm not sold. I'm glad he's in the NHL and is getting a chance but I can't imagine him being on the first line for some reason.

Yeah right. You never seen one Marlies game,and its painful to read chumps talking through thei r ear. I SAID EAR

 

[leafspring*]

Another powerplay goal, and he was a bit better on faceoffs tonight. He's looking more like a real player than he has in the past, that's for sure. It's just a matter of whether he keeps it up or if he rests on his laurels like he has in the past.

As someone who has criticized Kadri in the past, I find the insinuation that people don't appreciate his talent because of his ethnic background to be insulting. Those with small minds look to that as the only explanation they can come up with, while overlooking more obvious factors like the "I'm entitled to this" attitude he's had since being drafted. I don't remember Schenn or Reilly acting like god's gift to hockey and expecting a job to be given to them, perhaps that is why Kadri is not embraced as much. I know it's one big reason why I didn't like him. The race thing is just stupid.

You do a good job resting on your laurels for criticizing a developing prospect. Think about that,and have look at the 3 fingers pointing back at ya. You think this 2 games is a flash in the pan or something. Naz has been playing like this for a year. Its easy to tell who has been watching the Marlies around here.

 

[Peasy]

Pretty sure he got the biggest cheer next to Phaneuf when they were introducing the players, at least he knows he has the fans on his side.

 

[DD03]

Kadri is still considered a rookie?

 

[leafspring*]

kadri is a beauty, he is going to be a very good player its more or less how good can he be? I am watching him in limited minutes mostly PP hes playing very well. I think Carlyle just wants to put him in situations to succeed and its paying off, good for his confidence.

i think this is the new way to be a maple leaf, no one questions this mentality in places like Detroit, or Anaheim. Going through the minors having to prove your better than the NHL plug ins and earn your spot so you will know how to prepare for a season. I think a lot of guys who go straight into the NHL have sophmore slumps, or are not as effective as these players. And lets not forget Getzlaf and Perry who were brought up this way, having to earn your spot is good for a proud organization like this, it will soon be "the leafs are this good and are so deep in the farm" instead of "how aren't these prospects in the NHL".

I think the reason Kadri was always scrutinized because he wasn't Brayden Schenn. You knew the whole fanbase wanted Schenn, everyone wanted Schenn and Burke was gonna get him. Instead we got offensively gifted Kadri who has almost identical numbers and is playing at a very high level, i think the hate for him will go away soon enough. I am just hoping he isn't traded for Luongo and it so far looks as he wont be which is so good for this organization.

/end rant

Yes. Morgan Rielly can go the exact same route too. As a matter of fact he will as soon as Moosejaw misses the play-offs. That will be right on time for a good stint with Eakins,and a play-off run. The Marlies will be extatic to have him,but developement needs to be stewed slow.

 

[Eyedea]

Kadri is still considered a rookie?

He's a prospect, but I don't believe he is eligible for ROTY if that makes any sense.

 

[cyris]

Its funny when the Red Wings keep a prospect in the AHL and let him develop until he is 22 or 23 they are commended for their great prospect development but when we do it its because the kid is a bust.

 

[Eb]

Pretty sure he got the biggest cheer next to Phaneuf when they were introducing the players, at least he knows he has the fans on his side.

Never noticed that... pretty awesome if true.

 

[bunjay]

Its funny when the Red Wings keep a prospect in the AHL and let him develop until he is 22 or 23 they are commended for their great prospect development but when we do it its because the kid is a bust.

Or because our coaching and management staff are too stupid to see the brilliance and readiness that's sooooo obvious to the armchair experts.


There are a lot more players who break into the NHL in their 20s than in their teens, and a lot of the 'late bloomers' (who are more accurately 'normal bloomers') are amazing players. Guys like Perry, Getzlaf, Vanek, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, the Sedins, Giroux...