Jets should be good this year.
- bixll

They have a very strong group of young forwards and my man-crush on Trouba is well documented.

I'm not a strong believer in Maurice's abilities to carry this team to the next level though.... Stormey and I agreed on this the other day.

On a hot, sweltering Toronto afternoon, I meet up with the Leafs 2009 top pick Nazem Kadri. This was the 2nd time I have met the young budding star and to say I was surprised is putting it mildly. The first time I met Nazem was September 2009, a scrawny young kid listed at 170lbs. I doubted he'd tip 165 in a wet suit when I first met him. This time around I was blown away. Maybe it was the heat, or maybe it was just the excitement of seeing this rising young star again at the beginning of his career. He had obviously started to fill out, and the results of all his hard work at the gym were more than evident. I bit my lip and thought to myself "Oh to be 19 again". What was once scrawny was now filled out and buff. Muscles rippled, pecs stood out, the face of the young lad had started to turn into that of a man. He sensed my shock when I saw him and greeted him.

"Wow", I say. "You're not how I remember"
Kadri giggles nervously and replies "Yeah, it's taken a lot of hard work".

I must have stared a moment too long because he seems to get nervous just then and suggests we move on and get the interview under way. I forget he's still a boy even though he's looking more and more like a man. I offer to buy him a smoothie from the Papaya Hut in downtown Toronto but he tells me he's on a strict diet. I grab my smoothie, and we leisurely stroll down Yonge St. and discuss his potential to make the Leafs this season.

Kadri is realistic about his chances this upcoming season and knows he has a tremendous opportunity if he works hard. He tells me it's been his dream since he was a kid to make the NHL and the opportunity presented by the Leafs is one he doesn't want to miss out on.

"We have a young core of players here in Toronto, the youngest in the league, I just hope I can show enough at camp to stick with the big club". Kadri has been penciled into the Leafs lineup by many observers but he knows it won't be that easy. "Last season was tough. I really thought I could stick in the NHL, but I realized later on that I still had a ways to go. I set out to improve myself and my game in hopes of making it this season"

The willingness and the ability to improve are two strong traits in this young man. After a slow start to the OHL season, Kadri picked up the pace to finish with 93 points in only 56 games and was named as a finalist for OHL player of the year. He continuted his strong play into the playoffs where he netted an incredible 27 points in only 12 games. These are stats that should get any Leafs fan excited about this young man's potential.

We briefly chat about his muslim upbringing and how he is being viewed as a potential role model in the league, a barrier smasher so to speak.
"I don't think about that stuff", replies Kadri, "I'm just me, I try to be the best I can be, if I inspire any other kids that's great, but I don't see myself as anything special in that regard".

I tell him he IS special, and he nervously accepts my compliment.

As we end the interview, I watch him walk away from me, I gaze and think about the future of this young star, this mere boy who is now filling out a man's body. The heat from the afternoon has coated Kadri's shirt in sweat, and I can easily make out the physique under his shirt. I still can't believe how much he's filled out, and I have to finally turn away as I bite my lip again.

I can't see into the future, but I predict great things for Kadri. Leafs fans should prepare themselves for success, with Kadri on a young Leafs team, the future is oh so bright.
- AdamFrench

This is epic. It never gets old.

Fack simpson and Hughson.
I cannot believe those tools are still doing leaf broadcast. Can someone not start a social media thing advocating these two be removed from leaf broadcast?

- Fakepartofme

Anyone know when the full TV carrier broadcast schedule will be out?

Most Saturday games will be on CBC, I think Wednesday games will be on Sportsnet.
Not sure when TSN will broadcast Leafs games.

Fixed. It's terrible because he sucked and people were so desperate for hope they blind themselves.
- AdamFrench

For many years Leafs Nation was blind walking around searching for hope like Neo in the 3rd Matrix movie or Denzel in the Book of Eli except without all the butt kicking action and massive explosions.

They have a very strong group of young forwards and my man-crush on Trouba is well documented.

I'm not a strong believer in Maurice's abilities to carry this team to the next level though.... Stormey and I agreed on this the other day.
- Scabeh

Maurice is such a bitter little whiner. They need someone new.

For many years Leafs Nation was blind walking around searching for hope like Neo in the 3rd Matrix movie or Denzel in the Book of Eli except without all the butt kicking action and massive explosions.
- BKups

There were a lot of massive implosions in January/February...

Maurice is such a bitter little whiner. They need someone new.
- markmark

Ron Wilson?

Fixed. It's terrible because he sucked and people were so desperate for hope they blind themselves.
- AdamFrench

Sens fans insisting the sens tricked Burke into taking kadri is some of the all time dumb moments.
- burn

If any GM could be that easily "duped" they should likely be poor, bums, garbage rummanging, or tow a stroller behind a bike.

Ron Wilson?
- Atomic Wedgie

=

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-41167296


- TheMussel

oh man!.

He did have a second date with her.

I like that Kadri has a kitty that has a Twitter account. I like Leafs and I like kitties so it's like a double likey.

For many years Leafs Nation was blind walking around searching for hope like Neo in the 3rd Matrix movie or Denzel in the Book of Eli except without all the massive butt explosions.
- BKups

Paul Maurice got a new contract with the Jets.

Have you seen Stormey? Is he ok?
- Scabeh

Ah...the old new contract before we fire you mid season so you don't starve to death in Russia again routine. Classic.

- winsix

Explosive and as Wedgie pointed out, often times implosive!

Fixed. It's terrible because he sucked and people were so desperate for hope they blind themselves.
- AdamFrench

our PK was so terrible that year

Ah...the old new contract before we fire you mid season so you don't starve to death in Russia again routine. Classic.
- AdamFrench

Ah...the old new contract before we fire you mid season so you don't starve to death in Russia again routine. Classic.
- AdamFrench

Ah...the old new contract before we fire you mid season so you don't starve to death in Russia again routine. Classic.
- AdamFrench

Lame duck coach effect. Cant coach on an expiring contract.

- winsix

Now,,, that guy is not faking his injury.

Very nice writing Lucas and Adam.

I enjoy well written articles that are more than just listing the current news or releases from the Leafs. That is why I subscribe to Mirtle's sports service. They are expanding to cover all the NHL teams.

I sometimes read James Tanner's Leafs website too. Paraphrasing Forest Gump - you never know what you are going to get.

Wonder when MiB will suggest trading Kadri again?
- Leafsandbolts

He's got a Leafs web site?

It will be interesting to see where Kadri plays this season, and who his line mates will be.

I suspect he will start as 3rd line center between Hyman and Brown but does he stay there if/when Bozak is traded? The second line center role will be a toss up between Nylander moving over, or Kadri moving up.

If Kadri ends up as second line center between JVR and Marner early in the season, his numbers will go up significantly.
- B-Wforever

Leafs don't have Line 1,2,3...just Matthews line/Bozak's line/Kadri's line...in no particular order

He's got a Leafs web site?
- zazzle

Scary times people:

https://editorinleaf.com/author/jtanner/


http://thehockeywriters.com/author/jtanner/

Just google name + Leafs blog

I still don't get why penalty minutes are sold as a positive when describing players...... especially a non-goon like Kadri. Sure he draws penalties, but that's a LOT of PK time.
- BALUCHA

Pims shows that he is not afraid to go to the dirty areas and CRUSH guys.

Somewhere out there, someone still can't believe we traded Clarkson
- BKups

and was traded again!