Summer of hard work for Leafs’ Kadri

Leafs centre Nazem Kadri. (CP/Nathan Denette)

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SUMMER OF HARD WORK FOR LEAFS’ KADRI

The Toronto Sun points out that this summer Leafs forward Nazem Kadri kept up a dedicated pace in the gym and on the ice with the club’s power skating instructor, Barbara Underhill.

Underhill may be a familiar name to some as she competed for Canada in pairs figure skating at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics along with Paul Martini.

“That’s a part of the game where I can get to a different level,” Kadri said. “I’ve put a lot of work in. I pride myself on my speed, my quickness, my reaction, but there is always room for improvement. I have a pretty good foundation and with Barb’s help, I can be one of the elite skaters in the league.

“I’ve worked with her a couple of months now, just myself and her. If you talk to her, it’s like night and day.”

On the razzing he used to take on his conditioning level: “There was a point where I had to make a decision, whether I wanted to be serious or not. I didn’t want to let anyone down and not let myself down, either.

“I think I have the higher expectations of myself than anyone else. I have the potential, it’s just a matter of putting my nose to the grindstone.”

PENS’ CEO DEFENDS CROSBY OVER DMV ISSUE

Seriously. Is it hockey season yet?

If you missed it here in one of the two Monday Hockey Hearsays or in its own separate story, some people were upset because the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles has a policy letting celebrities (like Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby) move quickly through the office to avoid causing a scene.

Heaven forbid.

With all of the attention the story garnered, Penguins CEO David Moorehouse came to Crosby’s defense (courtesy of the Tribune-Review):

“Anyone that knows Sid or follows hockey — in Pittsburgh or anywhere — knows that’s not the person he is,” Morehouse said.

Morehouse called the original report of Crosby receiving preferential treatment from the DMV “a nonnews event.”

“To think he would flaunt his status and cut in line — that’s not him, and anybody who has been around him or hockey knows that’s not him,” Morehouse said. “Anybody who has seen Sid in a public place knows his presence causes all kinds of commotion, and that he likes least to cause a big scene.”

Agent Pat Brisson said Crosby “did everything right” and that he had an appointment.

Crosby, in an email to the Tribune-Review, said the original report of him seeking preferential treatment was exaggerated but added he saw “no need to make a big deal about it.”

CANUCKS’ GILMAN ON TANEV: “IF HE GOES, HE GOES”

You may have read the report Monday that Vancouver Canucks restricted free agent Chris Tanev has received interest from both the KHL and Swiss Elite League.

Tanev’s agent, Ross Gurney, who said he hasn’t spoken with the Canucks in several weeks, offered this to The Province: “We fully anticipate a deal getting done with Vancouver, but there has been serious interest from Europe.”

Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman tells The Province that the possibility of Tanev playing in Europe has no impact on the dynamics of the team’s negotiation with him.

“No, it doesn’t change anything,” said Gilman. “If he goes, he goes. We have to run a business here and we operate within a system. We want to get him signed. He’s a valued member of our organization. But there has to be mutual assent to get a contract done. There’s still a lot of time to camp, and we’re optimistic it’ll get done.”

BRUINS’ RASK READY TO PROVE HIS WORTH

CSNNE.com notes Tuukka Rask’s body of work got him rewarded with an eight-year, $56 million deal that puts him on par with fellow Finn Pekka Rinne as the highest-paid goalie in the NHL at $7 million per season. It’s something he’s clearly aware of, but he says he’s up to the challenge of living up to the large dollars.

“You always kind of try to work yourself up, and get yourself some kind of status in people’s eyes. But every season you’re starting from scratch,” said Rask. “You have to prove yourself at some level. But it helps that you have a long contract, and you can just focus on your job rather than worrying about contracts every year.

“Every year is different, and you have to be worth your money…no matter what you’re making,” he said.

On his workload expectations: “When you prepare for the season you always plan to play 82 games. I don’t think I’ll play 60, 70 games, but it all depends on how good I’m playing too, right? Meeting [Niklas Svedberg] and seeing him practice last year, I know he’s a good goalie,” said Rask. “I don’t know too much about Chad (Johnson), but I know he’s a good goalie and a good guy. So no matter who it is, I know it’s going to be a good situation for us.”

ZITO EXCITED FOR NEW CHALLENGE WITH BLUE JACKETS

The Columbus Dispatch relays that Bill Zito, formerly a player agent, will head the Blue Jackets’ pro scouting department and  play a heavy role in college scouting, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said.

“I’ve loved my work these last 18-20 years,” Zito told The Dispatch Monday. “But you can’t replicate what it’s like to be part of a team, what it’s like to try and win something. To work in this league … it’s a privilege.

“It feels like going away to college for the first time. It’s hard to say goodbye to all you’ve known the last 18 years, but you’re excited for the new adventure.”

Zito, who was with Acme World Sports LLC, had to divest all of his player interests. Kekalainen divested his interested in Acme in 1995 to join the Ottawa Senators’ scouting staff.

“As long as I can remember, we’ve talked about working together,” Kekalainen said. “I have an immense amount of respect for Bill, the way he sees the game and thinks the game. We have a lot of similar thoughts, but he’s not afraid to jab me in the ribs if I need it, or if we have a difference of opinion.”

HOCKEY COMMUNITY MOURNS JORDAN BOYD

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