It looks like Nazem Kadri’s lesson on the sidelines is going to be a three-game affair. He won’t play tonight or Friday in Calgary.
This isn’t likely something the Leafs do if they’re in the middle of a playoff chase, but with a few of their veterans getting shut down for the season with injuries and the tank fully on, Leafs management seems to be taking the opportunity to teach Kadri a lesson for what Shanahan described as a pattern of unprofessional behaviour. And they’re choosing to do it very publicly, which screams “desperation measure” after the past few months of drama in Leafland.
Before this gets completely out of control in the media (too late), take note of this quote: “Naz is an important part of our future. We like Nazem Kadri. His teammates like him.”
Brendan Shanahan addresses Kadri scratch:
Peter Horachek gets a bit testy after barrage of Kadri questions:
Here are the projected lineups:
Buffalo Sabres Projected Lineup
Matt Moulson – Johan Larsson – Tyler Ennis
Marcus Foligno – Philip Varone – Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers – Zac Dalpe – Cody Hodgson
Jerry D’Amigo – Tim Schaller – Matt Ellis
Andre Benoit – Zach Bogosian
Nikita Zadorov – Andrej Meszaros
Mike Weber – Rasmus Ristolainen
Matt Hackett
Anders Lindback
Scratched: Tyson Strachan
Injured: Zemgus Girgensons (lower body), Evander Kane (shoulder surgery), Patrick Kaleta (lower body), Cody McCormick (blood clot), Josh Gorges (lower body), Chad Johnson (lower body)
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lineup
James van Riemsdyk – Peter Holland – Richard Panik
Joffrey Lupul – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Leo Komarov – Trevor Smith – David Booth
Joakim Lindstrom – Zach Sill – Brandon Kozun
Eric Brewer – Morgan Rielly
Dion Phaneuf – Jake Gardiner
Andrew MacWilliam – Tim Erixon
Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer
Scratched: Nazem Kadri
Injured: Stephane Robidas (shoulder), Roman Polak (hernia), Nathan Horton (concussion)
Status report: The Maple Leafs, who had only five healthy defensemen, recalled MacWilliam from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis. … Meszaros and Bogosian will be game-time decisions for the Sabres. Each participated in the morning skate.
Who’s hot: Booth has goals in three consecutive games. … Holland has points in four straight. … Moulson has four points in his past five games.
