Nazem Kadri
I wish a reunion was in the cards.
Kadri is from London, which essentially makes him a home town kid. The guy hated leaving, and probably would love to come back. The Leafs blew it in rushing him out of town (what are a couple team deflating suspensions in elimination games between friends?) and a reunion would be better than the time Cito Gaston got re-hired by the Blue Jays.
In reality, the Leafs had to trade Kadri – there is not a player on any team in any professional sport who could cost his team two x playoff series by getting suspended and not get traded.
People always act like the Leafs traded an elite player for some spare parts, but Kadri’s value was super-low when he got moved. He did have a great contract, but he was a major liability, which he proved by getting suspended in the playoffs with his new team.
Kadri – who came about as close to being suspended a fourth time when he got into it with Jordan Binnington in the Semis – had one of the least likely breakout seasons (he was 31) of all-time this year. His next contract is likely to be really bad.
As for the trade, the Leafs got a year of Tyson Barrie, and they swapped Kadri for Kerfoot who is younger, cheaper and better at defense. Kadri’s best feature – scoring on the power play – wouldn’t help the Leafs anyways, but at this point I know better than to think the subtleties and details will make a difference to the perception.
Who knows? Maybe there will be a happy ending! Nazem – who I refuse to believe cares too much about money, but know for a fact has a massive ego – could take a discount on a one year deal and come win at home, proving he was the missing piece all along.
What’s that? No I do not have sunstroke! Next player…..