Toronto Sends Kadri Back to the AHL

[Phil The Thrill]

The Maple Leafs demoted 20-year-old rookie forward Nazem Kadri to their AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies on Wednesday.

According to head coach Ron Wilson, Kadri was not ready for the big stage.

"He's just not at an NHL level yet and that's strength, little areas like face offs and winning battles." Wilson said, "He knows the things he has to do, now he has to go work on them, practice them and execute them in games."

Kadri recorded six assists in 17 games with the Maple Leafs.

Wilson feels his lack of success was not a result of lack of opportunity,

"It wasn't like he wasn't getting a chance, he's averaged almost 17 minutes a game. He's played usually in a first or second line role and gotten a lot of power play time."

Leafs' forward John Mitchell was impressed with Kadri's skills but feels the rookie also needs to be bigger,

"That's one element of his game that kind of lacks. He sees the ice well, he's got great skill, he's very intelligent out there, it's just the physical part."

Gaining the physical edge to his game is something Wilson cautions will not happen overnight.

"He's in the process of developing as a hockey player. He's not going to get stronger in two or three days." Wilson said, "He's got to really put his nose to the grindstone and work really hard on and off the ice."

Kadri will miss his first two games with the Marlies serving a suspension he was levied just after being called up to the Maple Leafs.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=347223

 

[playmaker7]

Guess he just isn't ready yet, but he didn't play too bad in the NHL. He might see more time late in the season, but I guess playing in the AHL will aid his development before they really decide to make him an integral part of the team.