Thursday, November 14, 2013

Kadri Banned for Blasting Backstrom

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri has been suspended three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for his hit to the head of Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom on Wednesday night.

Kadri was assessed a 2-minute minor for goalie interference on the play and then was later kicked out of the game for a 5-minute match penalty for a hit on Mikael Granlund, but the suspension had been clarified to only the hit on Backstrom.

The young forward will be eligible to return to the line-up on Thursday, November 21st, when the Leafs are playing host to the Nashville Predators.

In 18 games played, Kadri has 5 goals & 9 assists and is ranked 78th in pool scoring, 57th among forwards.

ImplicationsKadri belongs to Ryan V. this season, having taken him in the 3rd round, 70th overall, which suggests that he is getting his money's worth from him to this point. Ryan's team goes into Thursday's action at 125 points in 16th place, 17 points out of the top 10 and 23 points out of the prizes.  The suspension will be somewhat of a hiccup to his season, but it shouldn't be the iceberg that sinks the boat.

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