{"id":3115,"date":"2016-11-08T15:34:46","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T20:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=3115"},"modified":"2016-11-08T15:34:46","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T20:34:46","slug":"maple-leafs-nazem-kadri-elevating-his-game-to-new-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/11\/08\/maple-leafs-nazem-kadri-elevating-his-game-to-new-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri Elevating his Game to New Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Toronto Maple Leafs<\/strong> have found themselves on a three-game winning streak. As their young stars continue to shine, one veteran has proved that he is just as much of a core player and a significant contributor to the team as anyone else.\u00a0Nazem Kadri<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> has truly been stepping up his play this season, and it really is not a shocker.<\/p>\n

Rookie Mistakes<\/h2>\n

Drafted seventh overall in the\u00a02009<\/strong> NHL Entry Draft<\/strong>,\u00a0Kadri was initially seen as a smaller sized, offence-first type centre who had a knack for scoring. He was definitely skilled, putting up 15+ goals in every season since the 2013 campaign adding three seasons of 40+ points in that span. His defensive game, however, was an evident flaw that Leafs coaches tried to get him to fix. He constantly would find himself turning over the puck in unruly situations and breaking down defensively quite often. Not to mention, his maturity levels varied throughout the years.\u00a0He was even scratched for two games in 2015 after he slept in for practice. These days, however, Kadri has matured both on and off the ice, and it is really showing up in his game.<\/p>\n

This Season<\/h2>\n

Finding himself on an incredibly young Maple Leafs roster this year, Kadri knew he would have to step up and take on a leadership role right away. Under coach Mike Babcock<\/strong>,\u00a0Kadri finally seems to have understood how to become a defensively minded centre. His game is more complete averaging a takeaway per game, and he is playing a more gritty style with offensive flair that appeals more to Babcock’s liking. With his coach’s guidance, Kadri has been able to fit into a role in which he really excels at.<\/p>\n

Most significantly, Kadri has become Babcock’s go-to shutdown centre, matching up against opposing teams’ best centres. Most significantly, Kadri matched up against\u00a0Edmonton Oilers<\/strong>\u00a0captain Connor\u00a0McDavid<\/strong><\/a> in last Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win for the Leafs. Kadri pestered and tired McDavid out many times during their matchup, a contribution that definitely helped lead to the Leafs’ win.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffVeillette\/status\/793605201978589184<\/p>\n

The game that was anticipated as\u00a0the battle of 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> versus McDavid saw Kadri stealing the show.\u00a0This contest saw Kadri score two goals, which included the overtime winner, with none other than McDavid on his back.<\/p>\n

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#ICYMI<\/a>: @43_Kadri<\/a> scores the GWG 12 seconds into OT last night! For more go to @MapleLeafs<\/a> .com #TMLTalk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G7qybBC6pA<\/a><\/p>\n

— Leafs Nation Network (@Leafs_TV) November 2, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n