Kukla's Korner Hockey
A Motivated Nazem Kadri
by Paul on 08/08/15 at 08:15 AM ET
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from Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press,
He’s only on a one-year contract and there is a new GM and head coach to impress.
But Nazem Kadri has never felt so comfortable as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Now, I’ve got guys who kind of have your back and are willing to go to bat for you,” said the 24-year-old Londoner. “Before, you kind of felt like you were drifting by yourself. But I know Shanny (team president Brendan Shanahan) and Mark (Hunter, the team’s director of player personnel) are behind me 100 per cent. They want to see me succeed and they’re going to give me all the opportunities this year to do it.
“It’s the same with Babs (coach Mike Babcock), too . . . I feel super-motivated and super-excited and ready to translate all my off-ice work onto the ice.”...
Kadri said he is already quite familiar with Babcock’s system and style. In London, Dale Hunter would teach the Knights by using NHL videos, and he highlighted the Detroit Red Wings’ way.
“Babs wants me to be an elite player, he sees that inside of me and that’s all you can ask for in a head coach — to believe in you and show their support,” Kadri said. “What he wants of me, I want, too. It’s not far-fetched (to realize his goal of becoming an all-star and, one day, Canadian Olympian). I know how to handle myself and I’ve gained the experience.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: nazem+kadri
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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Just wait, kid. The first time you get it Uncle Mike’s dog house for the least little thing (maybe even something that you’re never even informed of), you’ll sing a different tune. So maybe that’s your motivation – play perfect hockey and avoid the Babcockian Death Stare.
It may be just what you need, but don’t ever confuse that with Babcock “believing in you.” Babcock only believes in one thing – Mike Babcock.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/08/15 at 12:29 PM ET