“Centre Nazem Kadri will make his NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.
The 19-year-old was called up on an emergency basis as Christian Hanson and Fredrik Sjostrom will both be sitting out with the flu.
Kadri has 26 goals and 40 assists in 42 games with the OHL’s London Knights this season.
The London, Ontario native was drafted seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.” (Source:TSN)
It’s been an interesting week for the Toronto Maple Leafs and with Nazem Kadri making his NHL debut tonight, it’s going to get even more interesting with many in Leafs Nation holding their collective breath…
Kadri is the prized prospect in the Leafs system and as much as fans are anxious to see him with the big club, there’s a danger in putting 167 pound, 19 year old rookie on the ice with the big boys.
Kadri was pretty ordinary at the World Junior Championships and the impression many had was that he seemed dis-interested and somewhat undisciplined. That kind of play won’t be tolerated at the pro level, but it’s safe to say that his interest should be focused tonight.
I’m not suggesting that 1 game will set the tone for his entire career but there is comfort in ignorance regarding a players potential, and the days of romancing about the future of Nazem Kadri is coming to an abrupt end in Leaf land…