Kadri to Toronto???

 

Photo From Sportsnet

Last night’s game against Ottawa was rough from start to finish. Still, they went 3-1 on this four-game homestand, so they’ll be fine. Instead, let's talk about something else. Nazem Kadri recently wrote a book called Dreamer: My Life on the Edge. In it, he discusses his upbringing and, of course, his NHL career so far. When talking about his time with the Maple Leafs, he gives his side of the story about the Mike Babcock incident involving Mitch Marner. I won’t go into that, as it’s been covered extensively and we all know Babcock had his issues.

In the book, Kadri mentions he’d be open to a return to the Maple Leafs. He enjoyed his time in Toronto and would welcome the opportunity if it came up. So, fans, would you want to see Nazem Kadri in a Leafs jersey again? Personally, I wouldn’t. Don’t get me wrong—Kadri put up solid numbers in his ten years with the Leafs, scoring 161 goals and 357 points in blue and white. His regular-season performance isn’t my issue; it’s his play in the postseason.

I get that Kadri is a player who plays on the edge, and a lot of fans appreciate that style. However, in back-to-back years playing the Bruins in the playoffs, the Leafs had momentum in the series when Kadri made unnecessary hits, leading to his suspension. The series would shift, and Boston would end up winning. When Kadri was traded to Colorado for Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot—a trade that would go down as one of Kyle Dubas’s mistakes—Kadri had a decent season with the Avalanche. But once again, in the playoffs, he was suspended for a reckless play.

Kadri returned to the playoffs the following season and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, which is great. But when Scott Oake asked him if he had a message for people back in Toronto, he replied, “To everyone that said I was a liability in the playoffs, you can kiss my ass.”

Nazem, Leafs fans and media called you a playoff liability because that’s what you were for Toronto. Mike Babcock has made plenty of bad decisions, but I highly doubt he told you to leave your feet and drive your shoulder into Jake DeBrusk’s head. You were undisciplined in those crucial moments, and it hurt the team. If Toronto were to trade for Kadri and bring him back, I’d hope he’s matured and can control himself, but I wouldn’t have much confidence in that. If he returned and got suspended again, it would be a classic case of “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”