For the first time this preseason, Nazem Kadri did exactly what he is in Toronto for: rack up points.
Usually used as a center, the Leafs most-anticipated prospect was tried as a winger on the first line. Kadri seemed right at home with playmaker Tyler Bozak and the team's resident sniper Phil Kessel. The reaction was almost instant, as Kadri scored a power play goal in the first period to put the Leafs up 2-0. Before the game, Leafs' coach Ron Wilson stated that this was Kadri's last chance to prove himself worthy of the big team, along with a few other players on the bubble. The young forward broke through at the best possible time adding a second goal to tie the game in the third period, and then assisting on Phil Kessel's winning goal shortly after. With his stellar performance Wednesday, Kadri puts Coach Wilson in a tough position, He must debate the pros and cons of keeping Kadri on the opening night lineup, versus sending him to the AHL for some seasoning. All that's for sure is Wilson has hinted at using Kadri against the Detroit Red Wings in one of the last two preseason games. No one will know the outcome of this drawn-out spectacle until the final horn blows on the preseason and the Leafs' brain trust make their toughest decisions of the off-season.
In Case you missed any of the action here is the game in six minutes....
The Leafs opened up there preseason last night (Sept.21st) against the Ottawa Senators. There has a buzz running through Toronto during the past few weeks, Leafs fans have a renewed hope that their team could possibly finally have a playoff calibre team after a long five years of no playoff hockey.
This is not what the Leafs fans were expecting, although many regulars were out of the line up including Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Luke Schenn the Leafs stub bled out of the gate in the first period, surrendering 17 shots and could only muster 5 them selves. Jonas Gustavsson looked good in net even while giving up two goals, he made 15 saves by the end up of the first. The first period goal scorers for Ottawa were Jesse Winchester and Nick Foligno.
In the second period the Leafs came out flying with much more energy, with one big hit after another. The fatigue of the Senators began to show when they began to take penalty after penalty, the Leafs had two 5 on 3 power play opportunities that lasted longer than a minute and a half, yet could not get one past Ottawas top Goalie Prospect Robin Lehner, who plays his Junior hockey for the Sue St.Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Leafs made a Goalie Change half way through the the second, bringing in 23 year old goal tending prospect Jussi Rynnas. He began his first pro game with a huge save, but things wouldn't stay so positive, as his growing pains as an NHL began with the Senators Corey Locke Snapped one home on Rynnas with 4 minutes remaining in the second to make it 3-0 for Ottawa.
The Rough stuff starting in the 3rd, the frustration in the Leafs was evident. One bright spot for the Leafs was the play of hard hitting new comer Mike Brown, he played hard in both ends of the ice and made the Ottawa players pay the price in the corners and also had a great fight against the Senators Tim Spencer. The Senators went on to score two, some what weak goals on Jussi Rynnas to make it 5-0, and the game finished off with a fight between the Leafs Christian Hanson and the Senators much smaller Brian Lee, Hanson won the fight by a long shot, but it wouldn't change the fact that the Ottawa Senators had pummeled the Leafs on the Scoreboard where it counts.
All in all, before all Leafs fans jump off the bandwagon, we all need to take a step back and realize it was their very first preseason game. The team has many new comers that have not had a chance to play together, witch in time when they begin to learn each others habits will help with the power play and play in their own end will go a long way for helping the Leafs get into a winning pattern.
The Leafs Continue their five preseason games in five days with another date with the Ottawa Senetors tonight.(Sept.22nd)
Side Note: Once again Leafs top prospect Nazem Kadri was pushed around and was very ineffective in his own end. You have to think Coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burkes Patience is running thin, he may just end up playing some time or even a whole season down in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.
As mentioned before I attended the Leafs rookie tournament this past weekend to witness the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospects vs. the Chicago Blackhawks top prospects. Some of the players to watch for Toronto were Nazem Kadri, Jerry D'amigo, and Marcel Muller....
The game began in the 1st with huge hitting from all the young guns, the leafs were first to strike early in the 1st when 2010 leafs draftee Brad Ross make a slick move to move past Chicago defenders and shelf the puck over the Blackhawks goalie Richardson.The Leafs 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft from Noway,Sondre Olden threw a shot on net that somehow ended up in the net. A few minutes the Leafs other 3rd round 2010 draft selection Greg McKegg scored a beautiful goal rushing in during a 2 on 1.The game continued at a extremely high pace as it was obvious all the prospect were looking to make a lasting impression on all who were watching, be it scouts or the teams General managers.
The game got a little bit dirty in the second when there was two fights that occurred, the leafs players both were much smaller than their competition, but both held there own in the fights. The Chicago Blackhawks were able to pot a few goals, but it wasn't enough to keep par with the Maple Leafs
The final score of the game was 6-3 and was an impressive showing by all Maple Leaf prospects, including many of the players taking by General Manager in this years June entry draft. The only disappointment may have been the play of Leafs top prospect Nazem Kadri, leading me to believe he may need some time in the AHL before he makes the jump to the big club.
