Nazem Kadri: Ready to Play, Unready for Stardom
Posted 1:23 PM ET | Comments 0
Fast, skilled, great hands. These are the components that make up Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization's game. Some believe that he has earned his right to play in the National Hockey League full time as he has nothing to prove on the farm team. While his game is ready, he is not ready to be the face of the franchise. Ever since being draft 7th overall in a rather deep 2009 nhl draft, Kadri was put directly into the spotlight at the young age of 18. Having had millions of fans watch his every move, from his game for the London Knights, to his representation of Canada in the annual World Junior Championships, Kadri has faced adversity and doubt from media and fans alike. His game with the big club hasn't been nearly as effective as his game in juniors or Toronto Marlies. Is it because of the pressure, lack of ice time, or is his game not fully acclimatized to the pro game? It's my belief that Kadri while in his second season, isn't fully ready to fulfill the hype given to him as a young age. I believe that stints with the big club every so often will be good for him to gain experience, but he shouldn't be given a full time spot on the Maple Leafs until the team not only gets better and grows, but he grows within himself as a player and stays sheltered in the minors to work on his game and living in the city of Toronto where expectations will be high.