Nazem Kadri pleads he really didn’t mean to ruin the Maple Leafs’ playoff chances Globe_Sports
“Obviously I wasn’t intending to get him in the face,” Kadri said for starters on Thursday. The only thing obvious about the play was that Kadri cannot control himself. But that was just his opening salvo.“That’s completely not my character. Had that been the case, there would have been more substantial damage there,” Kadri said and then moved into an old favourite, the I-was-just-sticking-up-for-a-teammate routine. He was avenging DeBrusk’s earlier hit on Leafs winger Patrick Marleau.
Kadri did admit he was sorry about the cross-check when he was asked directly. But it came across as sincere as head coach Mike Babcock’s thank-you to the media for their coverage this season. The second successive suspension puts Kadri’s future as a Maple Leaf in doubt. Neither general manager Kyle Dubas nor Babcock said unconditionally they would be willing to live with Kadri’s tendency to snap in the playoffs. Dubas spoke about how important Kadri’s blend of skill and grit was to the team and how he is willing to help him change his ways. There were lots of buts in the air, though, both spoken and unspoken.
Not all of the humour on clear-out day was unintentional. Defenceman Ron Hainsey, 38, got a good line off when he was asked about his uncertain future as a free agent: “Even if I had a plan, I wouldn’t tell you what it was.” Hainsey liked the line so much he said it three times in a row to reporters.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maple Leafs fans put Game 7 blame on Justin BieberThe Stratford native was in a private box at TD Garden in Boston with wife Hailey Baldwin for the do-or-die playoff game.
Read more »
Maple Leafs need to develop killer instinct to swat Boston BruinsThey sabotaged themselves with horrendous penalty killing, untimely mistakes in their own zone and simple bad luck.
Read more »
Auston Matthews comes up big as Maple Leafs take series lead over BruinsToronto is now one win away from advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Game 6 goes Sunday.
Read more »
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in another Game 7; No Canadian teams left in playoffsThe Toronto Maple Leafs have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs, leaving no Canadian teams left in the NHL's post-season.
Read more »
After taking 3-2 lead, Leafs eye elimination of Boston on SundayMaple Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin has extra motivation to beat Boston on Sunday and eliminate the Bruins in six games: It would mean some extra time to spend with his brand-new baby daughter.
Read more »
Maple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen trying to stay positive despite offensive strugglesMaple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen trying to stay positive despite offensive struggles Globe_Sports
Read more »
Did the infamous 'Drake curse' strike the Toronto Maple Leafs?Canadian rap star Drake has been in the crowd when high profile games, matches and bouts go south - now Leafs fans wonder if he cost them a playoff win too.
Read more »
NHL: Maple Leafs 1, Bruins 4Down 2-0 after the first, John Tavares got the Leafs within one in the second, but Sean Kuraly's marker early in the third halted any Toronto comeback as the Bruins beat the Leafs in Game 7 for the third time in seven seasons. BOS wins series 4-3.
Read more »
Kapanen, Maple Leafs down Bruins in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead - Sportsnet.caKasperi Kapanen scored the winner in the third period as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Read more »