The Maple Leafs have made the decision this morning to keep Nazem Kadri out for another two games. He was held out of their Monday night game due to showing up 20 minutes late to practice on Sunday.
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.
“We like Nazem Kadri. His teammates like him,” Shanahan told reporters. “It’s time for him to start making better decisions.
“There comes a point where you’ve got to grow up.
“The easiest thing for us to do at this point would be to sweep this under the rug,” said Shanahan, who cited a history of poor decision-making but did not provide examples.
“We expect a certain level of professionalism. It’s time for to start making better decisions,” Shanahan said. “There’s a history here.”
Media notes:
- Dan Rosen: “I don’t think things like this are hidden from other teams. Whatever is going on, I’d bet people outside the Leafs know it too.”
- Draglikepull: “I’ll say this: the fact that this was announced by Shanahan and not Horachek or Nonis seems noteworthy.”
- 67 Sound: “I don’t think this means the Leafs have given up on Kadri. Quite the opposite. I think it means they want him to fix whatever’s wrong. If you’ve given up and want to trade a guy, you don’t publicly embarrass him and draw attention to disciplinary issues. Everyone has heard vague whispers re Kadri & unspecified off ice issues. Glad they are dealing with it. They must think he’s worth redeeming.”
- Stephen Whyno: “Horachek says this is time for Kadri to do right things and mature, that team is well-aware of situation. Wants him to respond “like a pro.”
- Adam Proteau: “Some people have ripped Brendan Shanahan for not taking enough action to change the Leafs’ culture. He does that today, & still gets ripped.”
- Adam Proteau: “Also: Shanahan said he sees Kadri as part of the future. If you give a damn about someone, you tell them the stark truth, even if it hurts. It would have been far easier for Shanahan to sit back and do nothing here. I like Kadri, but this is a clear challenge to him.”
- Damien Cox: “No media or fans privy to necessary info on Kadri. So anyone offering an opinion on this is talking right out of their ass.’
- Mark Spector: “Folks, there is always an ongoing issue, when a team makes a big deal out of 1 indiscretion. There was with Kane in WPG, is with Kadri”
- Glenn Schiiler: “More ammo for the #Leafs to only give Kadri a 1-yr deal this summer? To see if he grows up. Not a 5Mx5yr contract he was likely looking for”
- Shawn Simpson: “Kadri being treated as a repeat offender. Mark Hunter will have strong views on the former Knight.”
- Craig Custance: “If he did something and the team knows it and it goes unpunished that sends an even bigger message to teammates.”
- Gare Joyce: “#Kadri is a completely legit player, not the star they envisioned when #Leafs drafted him but a useful guy who can play on a winning team. If you don’t believe in a player (#kadri) why hold on to him? #Leafs say he’s in their future–moving him now would get 20 cents on $1.”
- Kadri has the support of teammates