Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs 2018-19 Player Grades

By James Tanner

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 21
Next
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) reacts after missing a shot during the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) reacts after missing a shot during the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Nazem Kadri by James Tanner

After spending the last couple years growing into a decent shut-down centre, the Leafs acquired John Tavares in the offseason, and Kadri became the team’s third line centre, and, for the most part, was stripped of his shut-down role.

He dropped from 32 goals in each of the last two seasons, to just 16 this past year.  This isn’t as bad as it looks, however.  For one, he got less ice time.  For another, while he was inexplicably on the first PP (why have three centres on it?) he wasn’t getting the same touches he got previously. For a third reason, he hit a ton of goal posts, and his shooting percentage was down.

Kadri had a 53% Corsi, scored at a half-way decent rate (all things considered) and finished with 44 points, which isn’t bad considering he missed nine game with a concussion.

. C. Toronto Maple Leafs. NAZEM KADRI. B+

When you factor in the concussion, the change of role, and the bad luck (all those goal posts) Kadri really did have a better season than the stats indicate.  He also gave the Leafs the best centre depth in the NHL.

An unfortunate suspension in the playoffs takes some of the shine of of him, but overall, he’s a good player and I’d like to see him back. (Though he is excellent trade bait, so we’ll see).

I give Kadri a B+.

Home/Analysis