On a hot, sweltering Toronto afternoon, I meet up with the Leafs 2009 top pick Nazem Kadri. This was the 2nd time I have met the young budding star and to say I was surprised is putting it mildly. The first time I met Nazem was September 2009, a scrawny young kid listed at 170lbs. I doubted he'd tip 165 in a wet suit when I first met him. This time around I was blown away. Maybe it was the heat, or maybe it was just the excitement of seeing this rising young star again at the beginning of his career. He had obviously started to fill out, and the results of all his hard work at the gym were more than evident. I bit my lip and thought to myself "Oh to be 19 again". What was once scrawny was now filled out and buff. Muscles rippled, pecs stood out, the face of the young lad had started to turn into that of a man. He sensed my shock when I saw him and greeted him.

"Wow", I say. "You're not how I remember"
Kadri giggles nervously and replies "Yeah, it's taken a lot of hard work".

I must have stared a moment too long because he seems to get nervous just then and suggests we move on and get the interview under way. I forget he's still a boy even though he's looking more and more like a man. I offer to buy him a smoothie from the Papaya Hut in downtown Toronto but he tells me he's on a strict diet. I grab my smoothie, and we leisurely stroll down Yonge St. and discuss his potential to make the Leafs this season.

Kadri is realistic about his chances this upcoming season and knows he has a tremendous opportunity if he works hard. He tells me it's been his dream since he was a kid to make the NHL and the opportunity presented by the Leafs is one he doesn't want to miss out on.

"We have a young core of players here in Toronto, the youngest in the league, I just hope I can show enough at camp to stick with the big club". Kadri has been penciled into the Leafs lineup by many observers but he knows it won't be that easy. "Last season was tough. I really thought I could stick in the NHL, but I realized later on that I still had a ways to go. I set out to improve myself and my game in hopes of making it this season"

The willingness and the ability to improve are two strong traits in this young man. After a slow start to the OHL season, Kadri picked up the pace to finish with 93 points in only 56 games and was named as a finalist for OHL player of the year. He continuted his strong play into the playoffs where he netted an incredible 27 points in only 12 games. These are stats that should get any Leafs fan excited about this young man's potential.

We briefly chat about his muslim upbringing and how he is being viewed as a potential role model in the league, a barrier smasher so to speak.
"I don't think about that stuff", replies Kadri, "I'm just me, I try to be the best I can be, if I inspire any other kids that's great, but I don't see myself as anything special in that regard".

I tell him he IS special, and he nervously accepts my compliment.

As we end the interview, I watch him walk away from me, I gaze and think about the future of this young star, this mere boy who is now filling out a man's body. The heat from the afternoon has coated Kadri's shirt in sweat, and I can easily make out the physique under his shirt. I still can't believe how much he's filled out, and I have to finally turn away as I bite my lip again.

I can't see into the future, but I predict great things for Kadri. Leafs fans should prepare themselves for success, with Kadri on a young Leafs team, the future is oh so bright.

Too late - Max already signed the deal!
- 21peter

The league doesn't accept paperwork signed in crayon.

The league doesn't accept paperwork signed in crayon.
- burn

Leafs managed to improve the team and work out their cap. Just masterful work.


And some on here complaining.

The league doesn't accept paperwork signed in crayon.
- burn

now who's being infantile?

On a hot, sweltering Toronto afternoon, I meet up with the Leafs 2009 top pick Nazem Kadri. This was the 2nd time I have met the young budding star and to say I was surprised is putting it mildly. The first time I met Nazem was September 2009, a scrawny young kid listed at 170lbs. I doubted he'd tip 165 in a wet suit when I first met him. This time around I was blown away. Maybe it was the heat, or maybe it was just the excitement of seeing this rising young star again at the beginning of his career. He had obviously started to fill out, and the results of all his hard work at the gym were more than evident. I bit my lip and thought to myself "Oh to be 19 again". What was once scrawny was now filled out and buff. Muscles rippled, pecs stood out, the face of the young lad had started to turn into that of a man. He sensed my shock when I saw him and greeted him.

"Wow", I say. "You're not how I remember"
Kadri giggles nervously and replies "Yeah, it's taken a lot of hard work".

I must have stared a moment too long because he seems to get nervous just then and suggests we move on and get the interview under way. I forget he's still a boy even though he's looking more and more like a man. I offer to buy him a smoothie from the Papaya Hut in downtown Toronto but he tells me he's on a strict diet. I grab my smoothie, and we leisurely stroll down Yonge St. and discuss his potential to make the Leafs this season.

Kadri is realistic about his chances this upcoming season and knows he has a tremendous opportunity if he works hard. He tells me it's been his dream since he was a kid to make the NHL and the opportunity presented by the Leafs is one he doesn't want to miss out on.

"We have a young core of players here in Toronto, the youngest in the league, I just hope I can show enough at camp to stick with the big club". Kadri has been penciled into the Leafs lineup by many observers but he knows it won't be that easy. "Last season was tough. I really thought I could stick in the NHL, but I realized later on that I still had a ways to go. I set out to improve myself and my game in hopes of making it this season"

The willingness and the ability to improve are two strong traits in this young man. After a slow start to the OHL season, Kadri picked up the pace to finish with 93 points in only 56 games and was named as a finalist for OHL player of the year. He continuted his strong play into the playoffs where he netted an incredible 27 points in only 12 games. These are stats that should get any Leafs fan excited about this young man's potential.

We briefly chat about his muslim upbringing and how he is being viewed as a potential role model in the league, a barrier smasher so to speak.
"I don't think about that stuff", replies Kadri, "I'm just me, I try to be the best I can be, if I inspire any other kids that's great, but I don't see myself as anything special in that regard".

I tell him he IS special, and he nervously accepts my compliment.

As we end the interview, I watch him walk away from me, I gaze and think about the future of this young star, this mere boy who is now filling out a man's body. The heat from the afternoon has coated Kadri's shirt in sweat, and I can easily make out the physique under his shirt. I still can't believe how much he's filled out, and I have to finally turn away as I bite my lip again.

I can't see into the future, but I predict great things for Kadri. Leafs fans should prepare themselves for success, with Kadri on a young Leafs team, the future is oh so bright.
- AdamFrench

lmao wtf?

now who's being infantile?
- MaximusAurelius

Come on here day after day and post #firedubas.

You don't get to talk about childish behaviour

Centre depth looking a bit shaky unless they want Nylander there (doubt it)...

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot?-Shore-Kapanen
Spezza-Gauthier/Petan-Moore

Centre depth looking a bit shaky unless they want Nylander there (doubt it)...

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot?-Shore-Kapanen
Spezza-Gauthier/Petan-Moore
- AdamFrench

what are you talking about?
Dubas is the bestest GM around!
no criticism warranted!!

omg just looking at the goats height and weight again after the spezza signing

he could be a terror

Very proportionate as well

just needs to do his core lifts (power clean, DL, squat and press), plyos and put on about 5 more pounds and stop being such a puzzy

i can only sit here and think about my hall of fame power forward/shut down dman with a dynamic breakout pass career in an alternate universe if i had his opportunities


instead, i was forced to be an undersized, big time college football starting defensive end who’s only standout attribute was accelerating on contact, leading with his face

what a (frank)ing joke
edit: nice alliteration

what are you talking about?
Dubas is the bestest GM around!
no criticism warranted!!
- MaximusAurelius

Lots to criticize for like hipster glasses and hiring women.

omg just looking at the goats height and weight again after the spezza signing

he could be a terror

Very proportionate as well

just needs to do his core lifts (power clean, DL, squat and press), plyos and put on about 5 more pounds and stop being such a puzzy

i can only sit here and think about my hall of fame power forward/shut down dman with a dynamic breakout pass career in an alternate universe if i had his opportunities



instead, i was forced to be an undersized, big time college football starting defensive end who’s only standout attribute was accelerating on contact, leading with his face

what a (frank)ing joke
edit: nice alliteration
- Skalapy

~ 6'3 240?

Prepare to say bye-bye.

A guy who puts up that many points from the blueline is going to want to get p-p-paid.
- JohnFergusonJr

You just like complaining huh?

Stupid Barrie and your stupid top 6 D scoring... I hate it when defensemen are good and want to get paid.

Leafs managed to improve the team and work out their cap. Just masterful work.


And some on here complaining.
- burn

What Dubas has done so far with the hand he was delt is simply brilliant. Even to pull this all off being hugely hand cuffed by the Marner situation is Wisers whisky hand clap worthy IMO.

What Dubas has done so far with the hand he was delt is simply brilliant. Even to pull this all off being hugely hand cuffed by the Marner situation is Wisers whisky hand clap worthy IMO.
- Buck Norris

I was doing that last night. Slow Gibson's clap...

Well done Dubas.

You just like complaining huh?

Stupid Barrie and your stupid top 6 D scoring... I hate it when defensemen are good and want to get paid.
- gravyface

the Sun gonna swallow the Earth eventually - better start to worry now!

I agree with this. He brings the most Elisha Cuthbert out of all possible signees.
- Monkeypunk

Have you seen her lately ? Last time i seen her in a role was in goon 2 and she looked like a pig.

~ 6'3 240?
- 21peter

lmfaooooooo

6’5 and i forgot to mention underspeed

What Dubas has done so far with the hand he was delt is simply brilliant. Even to pull this all off being hugely hand cuffed by the Marner situation is Wisers whisky hand clap worthy IMO.
- Buck Norris

All teams have issues.

it's not like Dubas did the best job of all teams. (imo Florida and Dallas + NYR are clear winners this off-season so far).
for Dubas to get more than a 'B' for this off-season, he needs still to address the D-situation (with Dermott out until Dec/Jan at least), backup goalie situation, LW top6 to complement Matthews + #3C.

Centre depth looking a bit shaky unless they want Nylander there (doubt it)...

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot?-Shore-Kapanen
Spezza-Gauthier/Petan-Moore
- AdamFrench

It certainly does when you do it wrong

Tavares
Matthews
Spezza
Shore
Gauthier

Nylander
Kerfoot

It certainly does when you do it wrong

Tavares
Matthews
Spezza
Shore
Gauthier

Nylander
Kerfoot
- gravyface

melander should be gone

package him with greedy b!tch marner and his dad for a legit top pairing dman like popeye joneses kid and a grownup top 6 winger who can take care of himself

All teams have issues.

it's not like Dubas did the best job of all teams. (imo Florida and Dallas + NYR are clear winners this off-season so far).
for Dubas to get more than a 'B' for this off-season, he needs still to address the D-situation (with Dermott out until Dec/Jan at least), backup goalie situation, LW top6 to complement Matthews + #3C.
- MaximusAurelius

Love it.

melander should be gone

package him with greedy b!tch marner and his dad for a legit top pairing dman like popeye joneses kid and a grownup top 6 winger who can take care of himself
- Skalapy

How many times are you guys going to take the time to write this type of garbage. Ffs getting very old

Love it.


- burn

Max is a Habs fan i figure. He's not a Leafs fan.

Centre depth looking a bit shaky unless they want Nylander there (doubt it)...

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot?-Shore-Kapanen
Spezza-Gauthier/Petan-Moore
- AdamFrench

It looks fine

JT
Matthews
Spezza
Gauthier

Hyman- matthews - nylander
Aj - JT - marner
Kerfoot - spezza - kap
Khler- gauthier - moore

Or put spezza on the 4th line C, move kerfoot to the center, move the khler up to the 3rd line and put petan on the 4th.