Kadri to the Rescue?

     Leaf fans are going to get another look at their future soon, maybe even tonight.  Nazim Kadri  just got the call he's been waiting for his entire career.  Let's hope he's ready!

     With only one win in their last eleven games the Leafs have erased any of the optimism they created with their great start.  I suspect no realistic fan really thought they were as good as they showed in their first four games, but we didn't think they were as bad as they were last year either.  With a loss tonight they will be worse! 

     In three of the Leafs last eleven games they've been shut-out 3 times,  and been held to 1 goal three times.  Phil Kessel, by far the best offensive player on the team, has not recorded a point in his last seven games.  Given the fact he's slumped like this before, I can only wonder if he's the type of player we should be counting on to make this team a consistent winner.  Tyler Bozak, Kessel's preferred center is pointless in his last three games as well.  In Bozak's defense, I think it's very unfair to expect much more than what we've seen from this undrafted, U.S. Collegiate free agent, with less than a full year in the NHL. 

     Suffice it to say, this team is very weak upfront.  We were told early on by management not to worry as we would see more scoring from the back end.  That hasn't happened yet either.  With Phaneuf injured and not scoring when he was healthy, and little coming from anyone else on defense, I wonder if that was more talk to ease restless fans, rather than a realistic expectation.  So, where does this leave Nazim Kadri?  

     I can't help but wonder why Kadri has been called to the big club.  On the surface it's obvious.  The club stinks offensively and is in desperate need of a shake-up.  My problem with this is only a few days ago Brian Burke was telling Leaf Nation he wasn't planning on calling on Kadri yet.  At the end of training camp Burke and Wilson both stated Kadri was not ready physically or mentally.  He's had 14 games in the AHL to improve his game.  I hope he has.  Burke says he has, but only days ago wasn't considering calling him up.   My fear is this is just another of Burke's impatient quick fixes.  I hope I'm wrong. 

     So, what should Leaf fans expect from Kadri?   He's been a point a game player for the Marlies this year.  We're told he's a better two way player and strong on the power play.  Again, on the surface this sounds exactly like the player we need right now.  Below the surface I think fans need to remember he's still a very raw prospect, being called upon the help a very weak offensive team.  This team has been embarrassing offensively and for good reason.  They're players aren't very good.  With the exception of Kessel, no one else is a legitimate scoring threat.  Kulemin and Versteeg will get their share of points and MacArthur will do fine.  After that the cupboard is bare.  Even if Kadri can make an impact, it still may not be enough.  So, here's to hoping Kadri will make an impact and give the rest of the team the wake-up call it desperately needs.  He's got the confidence, temperament and skill to be a very good player down the road.  Of this I have no doubt.  He's no savior however and nor should he be expected to be. 

 

Kaberle's still a Leaf. Go Figure!

     Well, the last window of opportunity to deal The Toronto Maple Leaf's most tradeable asset has closed and Tomas Kaberle wasn't moved, again!  Don't get me wrong.  I'm a big fan of Tomas, but after 3 years of hearing boasts of Kaberle netting us high draft picks and scoring top six forwards, I'm a little disappointed to say the least.
      When the Kaberle trade talks began, he had three years left on a quite affordable contract.  Combine this with his unique skating ability and a great first pass. and you had a very marketable asset.  When Brian Burke took over two years ago he immediately targeted the defenseman as a player to be traded for some key pieces to the Toronto Maple Leaf puzzle.  His asking price was a big, young, forward who could score, and a high draft pick.  At the time it sounded very reasonable. 
      So why is Tomas Kaberle still a Leaf.  Part of the answer is Kaberle's no trade clause.  The Leafs have a small window every off season in which they can trade him without restriction.  The window opens after the entry draft and closes in the middle of August.  The other proviso is the no-trade clause lifts only if the team fails to make the play-offs.  Being that the team hasn't played post season since the lockout and never during Burke's tenure, they've had ample opportunity to trade him. 
     Since the day Burke took over, he's been touting the teams wealth of defenseman.  He claims they'll be instrumental in bringing talented forwards in trades.  So far Leafs fans have seen no sign of this.  A Kaberle trade was his chance for redemption.  So why no trade?  Is it as simple as Burke's giant ego getting in the way?  Maybe, maybe not.  I can't help but wonder how things may have changed if Burke hadn't set Kaberle price openly in the media.  I wonder still at how Burke arrived at the price he did for Kaberle.  The market proved he wasn't worth the price last summer when he wasn't traded back then.  This summer ten teams were in negotiation for him.  Still not one of them came close to Burke's asking price.  I think leaf fans and Brian Burke need to ask themselves.  Was every NHL GM wrong in their evaluation of Tomas Kaberle, or was Burke's bullheadedness getting in the way.    I think the answer is obvious.
     The bottom line is Brian squandered another golden opportunity to improve The Toronto Maple Leafs.  The team does have a wealth of quality defensman.  What they desperately need is talent upfront and draft picks.  Tomas Kaberle has been a loyal, honest and hard working player his entire career with The Leafs.  His name has been dragged though the media for three complete season now.  We are now in a position where we may lose him for nothing as a free agent.  At best he may still be traded, but his value diminishes the longer it goes.  It's not fair to him, his teammates, or the fans. The bottom line is, Brian Burke should have admitted he was wrong in setting Kaberle's worth.  He should have taken the best deal on the table and made the trade, period.