TORONTO — More time to sit. More time to think.
The four-game suspension Nazem Kadri was handed by the NHL’s department of player safety on Wednesday may have nothing in common with the tough love he was recently shown by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but his bosses hope it has a similar impact.
“It’s good for him,” said interim coach Peter Horachek. “These are good lessons, these are good things to go through.”
In the waning days of a bizarre and disappointing season, this is what you’re left with: Finding the positives in losing your top centre for more than a third of the remaining games.
However, it also underscores the unique dynamic surrounding Kadri.
At the core of a team-imposed, three-game suspension earlier this month was a desire from the Leafs to see him reflect on his actions (being late for a meeting, among them) and take more ownership of his behaviour. In theory, the four-game ban for concussing Edmonton forward Matt Fraser with a head shot on Monday night offers Kadri another opportunity to learn and grow.
He has not always been the easiest pupil to reach.
A former teammate noted recently that Kadri is the rare player who seems to be unaffected by any storm that surrounds him. He meant it as a compliment — pointing out that it’s a particularly useful attribute in Toronto — but it can cause issues when Kadri finds himself in the eye of the hurricane.
Now that he’s been there twice in a matter of weeks, the Leafs are anxious to see a positive response. The season may be lost, but the opportunities for individual growth haven’t ended.
“The idea is that he’s going to be that much stronger — mentally stronger — and he’s going to be good for the next person that comes along, that he can relay a positive influence and tell them (about) his experiences,” Horachek explained.
Kadri’s game has already improved to the point where he is the Leafs’ best possession player and one of its top scorers at even strength.
Soon the organization will be counting on him to lead in new ways. He’ll be 25 at the start of next season and potentially one of the longer-tenured players on a roster in the early stages of a significant rebuild.
Depending on how negotiations play out this summer, he might also be on a long-term contract by then.
It’s not yet clear if the recent incidents will have much impact on his next deal. Wednesday’s suspension was the second of Kadri’s NHL career and the fact he was a repeat offender factored into its severity. It will cost him in excess of $140,000 in salary.
Simply put: Kadri threw a bad hit on a defenceless player and knew it immediately, showing concern for Fraser seconds after laying him out with a clear head shot. He intends to deliver a direct apology to the Oilers forward in the coming days.
When you factor in the team-issued suspension, Kadri will have missed seven of nine games by the time he returns to Toronto’s lineup on March 28.
“It’s obviously hard to deal with, but that being said, I’m not going to sit here and whine about it,” he said. “I’m just going to get to work, practice every single day, be professional and come to (the rink to) do what we love to do.”
Asked what he hopes to accomplish in the seven games he’s eligible to play before another summer starts in mid-April, Kadri responded: “Just create good habits going into next year.”
“I want to play with a positive mentality and positive attitude and just bring energy,” he added.
Positivity is a tough thing to come by right now in the Leafs dressing room. There has been a revolving door with trades, injuries and call-ups, and three straight months of losing is obviously exacting a pretty harsh toll.
Prior to his discipline hearing on Wednesday morning, Kadri steeled himself for the worst while holding out hope for the best. He wasn’t smiling afterwards.
“(I’m) not happy about it, but what are you going to do at this point?”
There’s only one answer that matters much right now: The one he conjures up with his actions in the months ahead.
