Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri Must Learn From Suspension

After getting a three-game suspension, Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri must grow up

Nazem Kadri allowed his emotions to get the better of him in a Game 1 loss between his Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins.

The pivotal center will now serve a three-game suspension after targeting Tommy Wingels’ head in the third period of the Game 1 defeat. His absence will create a void in Toronto’s lineup making it even harder for the Maple Leafs to attempt to even the best-of-seven series.

The loss of Kadri eliminates one of the best lines in hockey since the calendar flipped to 2018. Ever since the trio of Kadri, Patrick Marleau, and Mitch Marner came together, they became one of the top scoring lines over the final months of the regular season.

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Based on practice lines, it appears Marleau could shift from the wing to center. Meanwhile, a grinder such as Zach Hyman or Leo Komarov should join the veteran and Marner. Although Hyman or Komarov will add sandpaper to Toronto’s second line, it’s certainly a blow offensively without Kadri. His 32 goals and 55 points will be impossible to replace.

Unfortunately for Kadri, the suspension will once again raise questions about his maturity and ability to control his emotions. The 27-year old has shown tremendous growth over the past two seasons becoming a core member of the club.

Kadri always plays on the edge and toes the line of becoming too aggressive but in recent months hadn’t done anything that severely hurt his team like this suspension will. The center was clearly frustrated as the Bruins took over the game and was upset over how physical Boston was compared to Toronto. This is something Kadri must find a way to deal with as he just cost his team one of their best players.

There’s no doubt Kadri likely saw Brad Marchand agitating anything and everything wearing a Maple Leaf and felt he needed to impact the game in his own way. The center is more than capable of being an agitator near the same level as Marchand but the Bruin has plenty of back up.

Players like Wingels, Kevan Miller, Adam McQuaid, David Backes, and Zdeno Chara thrive while getting underneath the opponent’s skin. Kadri doesn’t have anywhere near the same type of physical backup as with the exception of Komarov and Roman Polak, the Maple Leafs aren’t much of a physical team, especially with Matt Martin sitting in the press box.

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It’s easy to understand why Kadri feels the need to lead the way physically for his club but he must do so while keeping his emotions in check. As great as a two-way force as he’s become, losing a 30-goal scorer and 50-point producer because his actions cross the line only hurts his own team.

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