He reminds me of Daniel Briere, a bit more chippy though. I honestly can't think of a great comparison for him, players with his skill set aren't usually as pesty and physical as him, unless they are much bigger.
And I answered your question, just perhaps not in the way you would have liked.
I said I view him as a potential top 6 centre. 1B/2A to be specific.
When or if he reaches his upside? That is solely up to him. He's made great strides since being drafted three years ago and seems to be off to a good start to his NHL career. Could be as early as this season or as late as never.
Fair enough, but it's not like the kid has played 4 games in the NHL, he's a prospect and it's fair to project. 55 games is enough time to have a guess at someone's upside in the NHL. I just didn't like the "4 games isn't enough" comment. Though I can't say I wasn't expecting it.
Budding Star? Probably not. Budding top 25-35 center? Yes.
Kadri will be a guy similar in small ways to David Krecji, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Richards among others, but not the exact same as anyone. He will likely be able to produce 60-70 points a year, be one of the better second line centers in the league, similar to Grabo.
This year he will be sheltered in that third line center role, get used to the league get better at faceoffs and relieved off the top line pressure, unless the injury bug hits. Next year is when I would expect him to be bumped up into a top six role, maybe even centering Kessel.
I had been saying the Leafs should have been playing Kadri on the 3rd line in the previous years simply because they can put him in favorable offensive situations, they don't have to rely on him putting up top 6 production and just ease him in... and so far, it seems to be working.
Fair enough, but it's not like the kid has played 4 games in the NHL, he's a prospect and it's fair to project. 55 games is enough time to have a guess at someone's upside in the NHL. I just didn't like the "4 games isn't enough" comment. Though I can't say I wasn't expecting it.
Sorry about that. It was not meant in a 'talk down' kind of way, though I can certainly see how it would be taken as such.
Let's not call him a star after 4 games. I'm sure as soon as he stops scoring for like 2 games, everyone's going to start ratting out on him and he'll be trade bait again.
If they play him at his true position, like they have this season so far, unlike what Wilson tried, yes, he has the potential to be a very good player. A superstar? I doubt it. I think he is going to be better than Bozak, and likely very similar to Grabovski - gritty, fast. He has crazy good hands, and will develop a better shot as he gains the NHL experience and continues to work on his strength and conditioning. Kadri comparing to Ribiero is interesting..... similar size, similar stats as posted. I like Kadri's game better than Ribiero in the sense that Ribiero was a diver, Kadri is more willing to initiate contact, and doesn't back down, and I don't see him being a diver at all.
I like what he's done so far and hope he can keep it going. I also think they have to keep him at centre.
He needs to learn a few more things with his skating before I can consider him to be a budding star. But there is lots of potential.
Would like to see his ability to protect the puck more if he wants to succeed down the center. Overall, pleased with how we've developed him over the past few years.
Budding Star? Probably not. Budding top 25-35 center? Yes.
Kadri will be a guy similar in small ways to David Krecji, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Richards among others, but not the exact same as anyone. He will likely be able to produce 60-70 points a year, be one of the better second line centers in the league, similar to Grabo.
This year he will be sheltered in that third line center role, get used to the league get better at faceoffs and relieved off the top line pressure, unless the injury bug hits. Next year is when I would expect him to be bumped up into a top six role, maybe even centering Kessel.
I don't get this, guys do it all the time on HFboards. You say top 25-35 C, but then say 2nd line upside. There are only 30 teams in the NHL. Therefore if a guy is top 30 at his position, he is a #1 C by definition. He may not be an elite #1 C, but he is a #1 C. Guys like Malkin and Kesler may be technically 2nd line Cs, but don't get it twisted, these are elite 1st line Cs who happen to have a better 1C ahead of them on the depth chart.
By your definition, there would only be 10-15 1st line Cs in the NHL...
I don't think so. I'd actually trade him as soon as his value hits what I'd gauge it's peak. He's putting up points but he's still too small to have an effective career. His skating isn't top-notch already but once/if he puts on size it'll probably get worse. Just my opinion, before the TML faithful jump down my throat.
I don't think so. I'd actually trade him as soon as his value hits what I'd gauge it's peak. He's putting up points but he's still too small to have an effective career. His skating isn't top-notch already but once/if he puts on size it'll probably get worse. Just my opinion, before the TML faithful jump down my throat.
I'm not going to bother posting the long list of elite players who are 6'0 or smaller, but I had to point this out again. People keep acting like Kadri is 5'4 and 130 lbs. Nathan Gerbe is 5'5 and looks like a midget on the ice, but is an effective up and coming NHL player.
And no, not every player 6'0 or shorter makes up for it with speed and skating, many are less effectiv skaters than Kadri, and are smaller, but still are great players.
