Nazem Kadri is one of those guys that you love to have on your team, but you hate to play against. One of the most notable pests in the league, he has a way of getting under the opponents skin. It has led to some costly suspensions and penalties for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s still hard for Leaf fans not to appreciate a guy that gives his all for the team.
Now he’s giving his all for another team, the Colorado Avalanche.
In a deal that brought much needed defensive help to Toronto, Kadri was the major piece going the other way. After getting drafted in 2009 with the 7th overall pick, Kadri spent his entire career with the Leafs up until the deal.
While the Leafs were an important part of his career in terms of development and experience, it appears as though he’s fully ready to move on.
With Jake Gardiner also skipping town, the two longest tenured Leafs will be in new colours next season. Change may be good for a team that has enjoyed very little playoff success in a very long time, but it may still pull at the heartstrings of some nostalgic fans.
