59 replies to this topic

[Hapanese]

Heard an interview on the radio with Colborne where he was stating that many people overlook the fact that Kadri is an agitator and he's been very effective in their first series vs the Ameriks.

Here's another article in the star today:

http://www.thestar.c...-playoff-series

Kadri is looking to be a creative offensive player capable of getting under the opposition's skin and also very capable of delivering huge hits.

IMO he seems to be comparable to PK Subban, young with a boatload of swagger bordering on arrogance with some real creativity and the ability to agitate the other team.

He certainly needs work in some areas, but I think his value might be higher than some suspect.

Remember, this kid is only 21. Let's wait and see what he's capable of before we write him off.

[joeysideshow]

I have noticed this as well, about the agitating. He does it to a lesser extent in the NHL. I feel like we should give him until he is at least 24 before we make judgments about where he will be as an NHL player. Not everybody develops into a star by 18.

[racer888]

I have noticed this as well, about the agitating. He does it to a lesser extent in the NHL. I feel like we should give him until he is at least 24 before we make judgments about where he will be as an NHL player. Not everybody develops into a star by 18.

Agreed x2

[Poyetas]

I love it...you just need some leadership to keep it in check...

[underhill14]

I have noticed this as well, about the agitating. He does it to a lesser extent in the NHL. I feel like we should give him until he is at least 24 before we make judgments about where he will be as an NHL player. Not everybody develops into a star by 18.

Agree also.

Give Kadri some time, when he gets a little bigger...naturally not by stuffing pasta in his face for 3 months...and a little stronger it will give him the confidence he needs to bring the skill and the nasty to the NHL. When that happens we'll be glad the team was patient.

IMO, it should be next year but the team has to be committed to letting him work out some of the other D issues in his game on the Leafs...not in the AHL.

[H-B-C-Y-G]

This was the dimension I thought he was missing form his junior days. Not that I watched him consistently, but I saw clips of him throwing checks, etc as well as scoring goals. If he can turn into something of a pest that'd make him pretty useful.

[Seer]

Yep! One thing I have noticed a big improvement from him lately, is that he doesn't always get locked into taking a penalty when he does this.., but it still needs a little working on... He is starting to remind me a little of Tucker out there, when he does this.. LOL!

Brad Ross is another guy who is good at agitating, too..

Naz will be fine, with more games under Eakins.. This playoff run will help a lot of our young players..

[underhill14]

Yep! One thing I have noticed a big improvement from him lately, is that he doesn't always get locked into taking a penalty when he does this.., but it still needs a little working on... He is starting to remind me a little of Tucker out there, when he does this.. LOL!

Brad Ross is another guy who is good at agitating, too..

Naz will be fine, with more games under Eakins.. This playoff run will help a lot of our young players..

A big YEP.

[joeysideshow]

Naz will be fine, with more games under Eakins.. This playoff run will help a lot of our young players..

I am very excited to see how deep they are going to go this year in the playoffs. Naz statistically started a little slow in the "real" season but he seems to be doing better now.

[XamDam]

Kadri agitates me as well as many other fans, he needs to get his scoring skills down pat and score goals like he did on the shoot out game while he was up in the BiG League, yeah he made another 1 just last game in the the Marlies, but he is inconsistent and needs to score more instead of chirping off and becoming nothing more then a loud mouth who can score once in awhile.

If he was with Lupul and Kessel or Graboski i think he would (i hope) become a huge playmaker and goal scorer.

[joeysideshow]

I he was with Lupul and Kessel or Graboski i think he would (i hope) become a huge playmaker and goal scorer.

Time will tell. I honestly believe he can be a 60-70pt guy in the NHL playing with the right people. Lets just give him some time to develop and hopefully in a few years he can be what we both think he can.

[XamDam]

Time will tell. I honestly believe he can be a 60-70pt guy in the NHL playing with the right people. Lets just give him some time to develop and hopefully in a few years he can be what we both think he can.

I agree he can make it, if an only if he is with the right people and the Leafs have the right people right now, but Kadri is still learning and he needs to learn faster ASAP before next season.

[Seer]

I am very excited to see how deep they are going to go this year in the playoffs. Naz statistically started a little slow in the "real" season but he seems to be doing better now.

Yep! He's learning to listen more..

[Kadrix43]

THANK YOU... he could start doing this in the NHL if you put him on a line with some experienced players with some grit aka Malone, Clowe Arnott etc.

[Kadrix43]

I think we have 6 solid forward prospects, Colborne and Frattin not included... Although COlbornes got the size and hands and Frattins got the speed physicality and hard shot,.... they could easily be busts in my books, if Frattin works on his accuracy and starts snipin em i think he could be an easy 30 goal scorer soon, but if he doesnt he will be a bust. Biggs i like a lot, Ross i like a ton, Mckegg i think has a pretty high ceiling and is very smart, Kadri is very skilled and is tougher then most think, Ashton will be a SOLID forchecker and guy around the net, and i really really like D'amigo he reminds me of a heavier less skilled version of Parise... Good speed lots of skating good work ethic great around the net good forchecker and PK guy.

[howiegethere]

Is this the same Kadri that isn't strong enough big enough or tough enough to make the Leafs roster ? You guys are reading a lot into a minor league tilt and a few comments from a biased reporter . Kadri will develope more I am sure of that but I doubt he will ever make a 1st line center or winger for that matter .

If he works on his strength more he will probably make a good second line player but he needs to get stronger on his skates to make use of the talent in his hands .

[howiegethere]

I think we have 6 solid forward prospects, Colborne and Frattin not included... Although COlbornes got the size and hands and Frattins got the speed physicality and hard shot,.... they could easily be busts in my books, if Frattin works on his accuracy and starts snipin em i think he could be an easy 30 goal scorer soon, but if he doesnt he will be a bust. Biggs i like a lot, Ross i like a ton, Mckegg i think has a pretty high ceiling and is very smart, Kadri is very skilled and is tougher then most think, Ashton will be a SOLID forchecker and guy around the net, and i really really like D'amigo he reminds me of a heavier less skilled version of Parise... Good speed lots of skating good work ethic great around the net good forchecker and PK guy.

I very much doubt that the Leafs think Frattin will be a bust considering he managed to stay with the big team all season . Ashton was the guy they went to on the call up and Burke thinks very highly of Biggs so both Colbourne and Kadri will have to push their limits this summer to crack the Leafs line up . Burke will certainly want to shed some salary and make better use of the prospects but Burke also wants desperately to win more games .
None of these guys will be a lock for a roster spot they will have to earn it despite how the Marlies do in their play offs .

[trueleaffan]

Is this the same Kadri that isn't strong enough big enough or tough enough to make the Leafs roster ? You guys are reading a lot into a minor league tilt and a few comments from a biased reporter . Kadri will develope more I am sure of that but I doubt he will ever make a 1st line center or winger for that matter .

If he works on his strength more he will probably make a good second line player but he needs to get stronger on his skates to make use of the talent in his hands .

Sorry but you are wrong here. He has always played the game with an edge and he always been an agitator. Its nothing to do with a reporter being biased, he has always played the game this way. He plays with a lot of heart and yes he does get knocked around, but always gets back up. Nobody ever questions his toughness, his size is lacking, but so are a lot of other players who have been successful in the NHL. Some of this aggressive play and big hits have been reflected in the NHL this year.... if you don't believe me, ask Paul Martin, and that's just one example.

[Boneshaker]

Hapanese (the original poster to this topic) stated it the best when he said this is a kid with offensive creativity + swagger and is only 21 years old. Being from the London area and knowing his days with the Knights (B4 the NHL draft) quite well I can fully agree. But as much as that is a strong suit, it is also the same thing that I believe has kept him from the NHL for a couple years.

No one will doubt his offensive ability or creativity, but the 'swagger' is a question mark. It's great to have confidence, but too much of it can be a negative thing as well when it goes past the point of confidence to arrogance, or a feeling of entitlement. The reason he's been up & down between the big club and the minors for the last 3 years I think (and have heard tidbits from people close to him) is more to let him mature as a player and his hockey mindset than it is to work on his natural skills.

Once he 'matures' and has the right 'frame' of mind for the NHL I think he can be a potentially great NHL forward scoring at least 25+ goals and 60+ points a year easily. He just has to mature into that role, and like Hapanese said, "He's only 21." Let's give him another 1-2 years before we pass judgment on him and see what he can mature into. Personally I think he might be a great fit next year on a 2nd scoring line with Grabovski and Frattin.

[Seer]

Hapanese (the original poster to this topic) stated it the best when he said this is a kid with offensive creativity + swagger and is only 21 years old. Being from the London area and knowing his days with the Knights (B4 the NHL draft) quite well I can fully agree. But as much as that is a strong suit, it is also the same thing that I believe has kept him from the NHL for a couple years.

No one will doubt his offensive ability or creativity, but the 'swagger' is a question mark. It's great to have confidence, but too much of it can be a negative thing as well when it goes past the point of confidence to arrogance, or a feeling of entitlement. The reason he's been up & down between the big club and the minors for the last 3 years I think (and have heard tidbits from people close to him) is more to let him mature as a player and his hockey mindset than it is to work on his natural skills.

Once he 'matures' and has the right 'frame' of mind for the NHL I think he can be a potentially great NHL forward scoring at least 25+ goals and 60+ points a year easily. He just has to mature into that role, and like Hapanese said, "He's only 21." Let's give him another 1-2 years before we pass judgment on him and see what he can mature into. Personally I think he might be a great fit next year on a 2nd scoring line with Grabovski and Frattin.

You said what I feel, ...but much better than I said it, Bones.... Thanks!