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Top 5 Early Toronto Maple Leafs Predictions for 2021-22

By Jeff Borsuk

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 24: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal near Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 24, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 24: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal near Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 24, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

2. The Toronto Maple Leafs will trade for Nazem Kadri at the NHL trade deadline

Forgetting about Nazem Kadri‘s unique ability to get himself suspended for the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs will bring him home. This will be the biggest shock of the trade deadline but will make sense for both the Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs will look to avoid the wasted roster spot, expecting Kadri to once again find himself out of action for postseason hockey. Let’s remember that the London, Ontario native was suspended for eight games following an illegal check to the head of Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of the series between Colorado and the St. Louis Blues. This was very much in line with Kadri’s pattern of behavior.

He was suspended five times while with the  Toronto Maple Leafs. He was suspended for three games for interference in 2013 when he took a run at goaltender Niklas Backstrom. He served four games for an illegal check to Matt Fraser’s head in 2015 and got four again for cross-checking Luke Glendening in the face in 2016.

In 2018, Kadri took his bad-boy act to the playoffs for the first time where he threw an ugly hit on Tommy Wingels and served three games for boarding. He was then suspended five games in the first round of the 2019 playoffs for once again cross-checking a player in the face. This time, it was Jake DeBrusk who was on the receiving end.

The Avalanche might also be looking to move Kadri at the deadline if they are unable to work out an extension with him. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. By trading him, Colorado can recover some assets instead of letting him walk for nothing.

With the Leafs already familiar with the way Kadri plays and how he can fit into their lineup, it’s a strong addition to the team’s third line. Having him competing hard each game will turn into a focal point of media coverage. It will also give a much-needed boost to Sheldon Keefe’s lineup.

Kadri played 10 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs before they traded him to the Avalanche for Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot. While with the Leafs, Kadri played 561 games where he collected 357 points on 161 goals and 196 assists. In his two seasons with the Avs, he’s played in 107 regular-season games and scored 30 goals to go along with 38 helpers.

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