Rumors of Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri being available for a potential trade gained momentum after head coach Randy Carlyle’s comments following team practice at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke, ON Monday morning.
With the return of center Tyler Bozak, Kadri was reunited with former linemates Joffrey Lupul and Mason Raymond and did not make much of an impression in the Leafs 5-2 victory over Carolina on Sunday. Bozak had three assists after missing over three weeks with a strained oblique.
The lack of consistent production has been a problem for the 23-year-old center this year, after finishing second in team scoring behind Phil Kessel in the lockout shortened 2013 season.
The Leafs were forced to give their 2009 first round pick increased responsibility and ice time in the wake of injuries to Bozak and Dave Bolland, but Kadri was unable to rise to the occasion, getting suspended three games for colliding with Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom in mid-November and scoring just two goals and two assists in 12 games playing with top line wingers Kessel and James van Riemsdyk.
Center Peter Holland, acquired from Anaheim in mid-November, played with Lupul and Raymond and contributed offensively with eight points(4 G, 4A) during the same 12 game span, prompting the Leafs coach to threaten further demoting Kadri down in the lineup.
“We feel if Peter Holland continues to play, he’s going to challenge (Kadri) for that spot.”Carlyle said.
Speculation regarding Kadri being shopped began in earnest over the weekend, when the New York Post’s
Larry Brooks mentioned that Toronto was more than willing to listen to offers for the young center.
"Boy oh boy, would the Maple Leafs love to find a taker for Nazem Kadri."
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos confirmed that report on Monday, stating that GM Dave Nonis is willing to discuss Kadri as part of a deal.
Barring the unforeseen availability of a young top six forward or top pairing defenseman before the March 5th trade deadline, it would be highly questionable for Nonis to move Kadri now, with Bolland still weeks away from returning to the lineup, Bozak coming off his second stint on LTIR, Jay McClement poised to be an unrestricted free agent next July and Holland still an unknown commodity.
The rumors and threats to Kadri’s status in the lineup or in Toronto could simply be Carlyle’s attempt to motivate and give him a sense of urgency, but the young center doesn’t seem to be phased by the critique.
“It’s been one game.” Kadri said regarding being reunited with Lupul and Raymond. “I don’t know why we’re talking about this, to be honest. Guys have gone up and down the lineup. It’s not like we’ve been playing together for 40 games and we’re sitting here talking about how we haven’t done nothing. So, I really think it’s irrelevant.”
If the inconsistency continues through the rest of the year, it is likely that Holland will regain his second line role while Kadri is shifted to third line or fourth line duty, but the long-term ramifications could mean being legitimately shopped along with restricted free agents Jake Gardiner and James Reimer in the summer of 2014.
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