If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to find their way back to the post-season for the second time in ten years, Leafs fans can be forgiven for imagining star Phil Kessel, captain Dion Phaneuf or No. 1 goalie Jonathan Bernier leading the resurgence.
Phil Kessel is a 35-goal kind of guy. He does it every year. Check out his stats.
Dion Phaneuf plays at an established level, too. About 30 points, a slight minus in his plus/minus stats, 23-25 minutes of average time on ice. Same thing every year.
Even Bernier appears to have an established level of play; about a .915 save percentage and a 2.50 GAA.
But the player whose performance could make or break the Leafs' playoff fortunes is none of these.
It's Nazem Kadri.
While Kessel, Phaneuf and Bernier perform at a fairly predictable level, Kadri's game is still on the rise. If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to find their way back to the post-season, it will be because Kadri's statistics, role, and leadership continue to grow.
Let's take a look at each.
Nazem Kadri's S ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Sean Tierney
Nazem Kadri and Why He Is the Key to a Toronto Maple Leafs Resurgence
October 18th, 2014 by Sean Tierney Leave a reply »
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