Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri’s Top Goals

5. v. Ottawa Senators

Have you ever heard what a goal scorers goal is? It took me until I became super invested in the game to understand what that meant. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then just watch the clip above a few more times, you’ll start to understand.

Kadri isn’t known as a prolific goal scorer but, he’s willing to try and net the puck from anywhere. That’s what an example of a goal scorer’s goal is. A player doing anything within his power to score.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of the ref cam but, this was the best I could do.

In this video, we see Kadri get to the loose puck from behind the net. Noticing that Ryan Dzingel’s on his knees and is blocking Craig Anderson from getting back to position, he just throws it towards the front of the net.

It hits Dzingel’s head and trickles in. I understand it’s a lucky goal. Nonetheless, it’s a goal. Most players wouldn’t have even dreamed of trying to score from that angle. I would even argue that it was intentional because an NHL player isn’t going to try and make a pass with the puck 2.5 feet in the air.

Smart play, good goal.

4. v. Philadelphia Flyers

The next set of goals is quite similar. I tried to make distinctions and will back up my selections but, they all are deserving of being listed as some of his top goals of the season.

Here, Kadri takes the pass just before the Flyers blueline. His skates are angled the opposite direction of Michael Del Zotto’s, meaning he can streak by him on the other side. And, that’s just what he does.

Catching Del Zotto flatfooted, Kadri takes off down the center, guarding the puck against the defender’s stick. A triple deke later and the pucks in the back of the net.

The key to this goal is Kadri’s speed and stickwork. The head fake move is simple but, effective.

3. v. Washington Capitals

Kadri is seen fighting his way into position on this play. After grabbing the puck at center, he guards the puck against the defender to give him some room to skate.

Knowing he has someone to beat before having a shot at Braden Holtby, Kadri finds another gear and sails by him. Holtby has to know that Kadri’s going to bring the puck closer to the center, meaning he will have to get into a butterfly position to be able to slide.

That gives Kadri the five hold to tuck it in. When a player does the simple pull and drag as seen above, he knows he will be exposing an area of the goalie. In this case, it’s the five hole. Beautiful goal, similar to the other one.

2. v. Edmonton Oilers

This goal is just special. All night long, Nazem Kadri was a thorn in McDavid’s side. He did it all without taking a penalty and at the end of the night, Kadri had the better game. More so when he outmuscled McDavid to get the overtime winner as seen above.

Kadri receives the pass with limited time and space so, he just pokes it past McDavi giving him some open ice. However, the NHL’s point leader in McDavid isn’t easy to beat. The two battle for the puck and Kadri comes up with it.

He has just enough room to deke a couple times and ends up sliding the puck past the goaltender. It’s such an incredible goal when you think who he beat. Not just for the goal but, in the entirety of the game.

1. v. Winnipeg Jets

The puck is bouncing just before the blueline as Nazem Kadri closes in. He releases that Josh Leivo has the better opportunity to pick it up and carry it in.

So, he skates into position and receives a pass from Leivo. The problem is that the puck is a tad behind Kadri, limiting the time he has to make a move.

He waits for the puck to get closer to Connor Hellebuyck. Notice that he could have touched it and gained control earlier but, opted to wait it out. This allows him to pull a little head fake out of his back pocket, making the goalie move first.

All he does it pull it forward on the forehand to lift it over Hellebuyck’s pad on the backhand. The simplicity behind this gorgeous goal can be described in just one word.

Finesse.

Bonus

Not the typical bonus I include at the end of one of these articles. But, I’m making my way from not loving Kadri to being a big fan of his. I thought this would help prove my point that he’s come a long way in his development under Babcock.

Nazem Kadri, the veteran is showing Leivo, the rookie some stuff on the whiteboard. Now, this is leadership. However, we don’t know the context behind this short video. Maybe Leivo asked for help with something. Kadri could just be doing an excellent job at telling his linemate what to do. We don’t know.

But, what I see is Nazem Kadri helping Leivo with his game. Even if it’s just a quick note. He’s doing a good job and is worth every penny from the contract he signed in the offseason.