BY MIKE BROPHY
sportsnet.ca

The timing, according the Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, might not be perfect for Nazem Kadri to get called up, but the kid is ready for the challenge.

That is according to his coach with the Toronto Marlies, Dallas Eakins.

Kadri was summoned to the struggling Leafs along with defenceman Keith Aulie and both are expected to play against the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night in Toronto.

"Naz came to us and he's done everything that has been asked of him," Eakins said. "That isn't to say there are not holes in his game, but he has worked very hard at everything we have asked him to do.

“We asked him to concentrate on his play when he doesn't have the puck and when he does have the puck to recognize danger. In junior you can get away with a lot more than you can in pro and you can't be trying to do things that end up with the puck going in your net."

Eakins said Kadri has been very impressive on the Marlies’ current 10-game road trip. Kadri leads the Marlies in scoring with five goals and 14 points in 14 games. He is plus-2 and leads the team with 36 shots on goal.

"Naz has actually added a little grit to his game on this trip," Eakins said. "He's definitely a kid who can put up points, but we have tried to impress on him that at the end of the night, if your line produces six scoring chances, but the line you are playing against produces nine, then that's not a good game.

"People have to understand that he could still be playing junior hockey. Sometimes I get the feeling that people expect bad things from Naz. All I know is he works hard and he gets better with every game. He still has a way to go to become a complete player, but he's averaging a point a game in a very good league. He's a good player and a good teammate."

Aulie, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds, has a goal and four points with 25 penalty minutes for the Marlies. He was obtained from Calgary in the Dion Phaneuf trade last January and Eakins is convinced he has a huge upside.

"If you looked up big, Canadian farm boy in the dictionary you'd find this kid," Eakins said. "People say he's a good skater for a big man, but that's not accurate. He's actually an excellent skater.

“He's not going to see power play duty yet, but I think some day he has the potential to develop into a guy who can play on the second power play unit. He makes a good first pass and then follows the play out of the zone. Ultimately he's going to be a guy who plays against the other team's top line and he'll frustrate them with his size and speed."