Kadri Misses Meeting - Sent Home

[Chev-boyar-sky]

To me, the Leafs need as many good players as they can get right now (which is why I mentioned him being one of the best players on the team this year). Kadri won't necessarily damage his career by sitting out. Didn't happen to Johansen or O'Reilly.

I mean sitting out long-term.  Neither of those two players did it, and O'Reilly seems to be a pretty unique situation.  I doubt that after this suspension by the team that sitting out a significant portion of the next season would increase his value to other teams if he was looking for a big payday that the Leafs would be unwilling to offer.  I don't know the rules exactly but I believe Leafs could just go to arbitration with him anyway.

Ok, I don't know the rules either. If that's the case then they hold all the cards in the near term. It could still potentially affect the long term prospects of Kadri with the Leafs.

I'd like him here long term.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Not sure where I implied that it was? His job is to oversee hockey operations. Being totally invisible while the team has one its worst seasons ever is not a particularly effective way of doing this.

Ok, then I'll say that being in front of the press everyday (or at all really) doesn't change how effective he is at his job, like at all. I remember when Burke was hired in the same role in Calgary he said that he was looking forward to being in the shadow a little bit more and not having to be front and centre. That's more of the GM's responsibility.

Being in the shadow is one thing. But when your team is floundering, popping out every once in a while to talk about how you plan to right your ship is part of the job description, same as the CEO of any company. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth to see this be Shanahan's only real contact with the media in the middle of this disaster of a season.

So far Shanahan has moved expiring contracts, and implied that ownership has green-lighted a complete rebuild.  After watching the Leafs for decades, I'm pretty happy with that.  I'm also happy with a guy that stays in the shadows and spends a full season watching, taking things in and taking notes.  There's  not really much he can do before the season ends.  I will wait to pass any sort of judgement on Shanahan until I see what the Leafs have in their pocket when they hit the draft floor.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Being in the shadow is one thing. But when your team is floundering, popping out every once in a while to talk about how you plan to right your ship is part of the job description, same as the CEO of any company. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth to see this be Shanahan's only real contact with the media in the middle of this disaster of a season.

This isn't his first contact with the media this season. He had a 14-minute state-of-the-union type press conference in January to discuss what the teams plans are and what they expect moving forward. He had one at the very beginning of the season as well and he'll almost certainly have another at the end of the season where he'll further talk about the teams rebuild plans. That's enough for someone in his position. The GM is basically his right-hand and Nonis hold a press conference for every move the Leafs make. Any other questions/issues can be discussed then.

 

[Rebel_1812]

It's also fitting that Shanahan has woken up from his season-long slumber--a season in which he has said little to nothing about the Leafs' long or short-term strategy as a franchise--to hold a discipline press conference.

Someone should remind him that he's being paid to be president of the Leafs, not the organization disciplinarian.

He held a press conference after randy was fired and said if the players don't play better they will be moved.  I have to agree with that move as it gave the players a chance to play better and let them know that consequences were waiting.

 

[Chris]

I'd hate to see him demand max money out of spite, or decide that he simply doesn't want to play here anymore (I'm sure some players are feeling that way on this squad).

Well, if he doesn't want to play here, good riddance. And if he is going the "spite" route because he was called out/punished for what management considers unprofessional behavior, good riddance. It's not like he's an unreplaceable offensive machine out there.

I want this team built around talented, hard working, professional athletes who want to be in Toronto. If Kadri fits that description, great. If not, find someone else.

 

[Strangelove]

Not sure where I implied that it was? His job is to oversee hockey operations. Being totally invisible while the team has one its worst seasons ever is not a particularly effective way of doing this.

Ok, then I'll say that being in front of the press everyday (or at all really) doesn't change how effective he is at his job, like at all. I remember when Burke was hired in the same role in Calgary he said that he was looking forward to being in the shadow a little bit more and not having to be front and centre. That's more of the GM's responsibility.

Being in the shadow is one thing. But when your team is floundering, popping out every once in a while to talk about how you plan to right your ship is part of the job description, same as the CEO of any company. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth to see this be Shanahan's only real contact with the media in the middle of this disaster of a season.

So far Shanahan has moved expiring contracts, and implied that ownership has green-lighted a complete rebuild.  After watching the Leafs for decades, I'm pretty happy with that.  I'm also happy with a guy that stays in the shadows and spends a full season watching, taking things in and taking notes.  There's  not really much he can do before the season ends.  I will wait to pass any sort of judgement on Shanahan until I see what the Leafs have in their pocket when they hit the draft floor.

In broad strokes I don't mind that approach either. But if you're going to sit back and watch, do that. Don't call out one of your best players--one of the only players who has given an honest effort all season long--in the media. Because that leaves people wondering where he's been while other big-name and big-money players mail it in. The whole situation has been bungled on the management side, it seems to me.

 

[Al14]

I'd hate to see him demand max money out of spite, or decide that he simply doesn't want to play here anymore (I'm sure some players are feeling that way on this squad).

Well, if he doesn't want to play here, good riddance. And if he is going the "spite" route because he was called out/punished for what management considers unprofessional behavior, good riddance. It's not like he's an unreplaceable offensive machine out there.

I want this team built around talented, hard working, professional athletes who want to be in Toronto. If Kadri fits that description, great. If not, find someone else.

Well said!  Shape up Kadri, or ship out!

 

[Chris]

In broad strokes I don't mind that approach either. But if you're going to sit back and watch, do that. Don't call out one of your best players--one of the only players who has given an honest effort all season long--in the media. Because that leaves people wondering where he's been while other big-name and big-money players mail it in. The whole situation has been bungled on the management side, it seems to me.

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

In broad strokes I don't mind that approach either. But if you're going to sit back and watch, do that. Don't call out one of your best players--one of the only players who has given an honest effort all season long--in the media. Because that leaves people wondering where he's been while other big-name and big-money players mail it in. The whole situation has been bungled on the management side, it seems to me.

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

I think the better lesson is - team rules are extremely black and white whereas determining someone's effort level with any consistency is far more of a grey area.

 

[Strangelove]

In broad strokes I don't mind that approach either. But if you're going to sit back and watch, do that. Don't call out one of your best players--one of the only players who has given an honest effort all season long--in the media. Because that leaves people wondering where he's been while other big-name and big-money players mail it in. The whole situation has been bungled on the management side, it seems to me.

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

That's how I see it too.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

We also have no idea what his other offences were and how serious they were.

 

[L K]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

But Shanahan specifically said there were other past things that contributed to this suspension, which wouldn't have been the case for Kulemin (that we are aware of).  Shanahan said that if this was the only incident then it would have been nowhere near such a big deal and Kadri would have only had to buy the team dinner or something like that.

 

[freer]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

He is a "scratch" He still gets paid correct?

 

[L K]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

But Shanahan specifically said there were other past things that contributed to this suspension, which wouldn't have been the case for Kulemin (that we are aware of).  Shanahan said that if this was the only incident then it would have been nowhere near such a big deal and Kadri would have only had to buy the team dinner or something like that.

And from the outside perspective, I find the lack of information disappointing.  While we aren't entitled to the nitty gritty.  Is it just a frequent habit of Kadri being late, not paying attention in meetings?  Is he constantly breaking curfew?  Has he done something inappropriate to one of the players/families in the dressing room that has caused a problem.  I just find that with a team with as poor an image as this one has, making vague suspensions just seems to draw in more questioning and something that might be a bunch of minor infractions is just going to draw a bunch of questioning to an already poisoned lockerroom.

And to be honest, if it was needing this kind of punishment, why not just come out and let it be known rather than suspend him for the Islanders game...then wait until this morning to suspend him more.  It just repopulates a story that could potentially be over and done with.

 

[hockeyfan1]

It's about time some sort of 'rules' were enforced, and Shanahan has done just that.  As we've read, Kadri's lateness is not the only issue here.  Obviously there were other transgressions at play here.

I like Nazem, he has tried adapting to Horaohek's system perhaps better than some of his other teammates, plus he carries with him plenty of talent, which we're already seen displayed as the team's best centre.

In the real world,  usually an employee would have been relieved (fired) of his or her duties, or something thereof to a certain extent depending on the situation, etcetera.

In the sports world, different organizations react in their own manner either via a fine, demotion, trade, or what have you.  Considering that Kadri has been called an important part of the team by Shanahan and well-liked by his teammates, and is still at a young age, the 'punishment' cannot be deemed all that harsh when compared to other situations.

 

[Strangelove]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

But Shanahan specifically said there were other past things that contributed to this suspension, which wouldn't have been the case for Kulemin (that we are aware of).  Shanahan said that if this was the only incident then it would have been nowhere near such a big deal and Kadri would have only had to buy the team dinner or something like that.

And from the outside perspective, I find the lack of information disappointing.  While we aren't entitled to the nitty gritty.  Is it just a frequent habit of Kadri being late, not paying attention in meetings?  Is he constantly breaking curfew?  Has he done something inappropriate to one of the players/families in the dressing room that has caused a problem.  I just find that with a team with as poor an image as this one has, making vague suspensions just seems to draw in more questioning and something that might be a bunch of minor infractions is just going to draw a bunch of questioning to an already poisoned lockerroom.

And to be honest, if it was needing this kind of punishment, why not just come out and let it be known rather than suspend him for the Islanders game...then wait until this morning to suspend him more.  It just repopulates a story that could potentially be over and done with.

I basically agree with all of this. In theory, suspending a guy for breaking team rules is fine. But to begin with one game, making Kadri talk to the media on that basis, and then escalate it later without warming, has the effect of throwing your player under the bus and undermining an already terrible dressing room situation.

In the wake of the Phaneuf-Lupul scandal, feeding the media with more vaguely worded innuendo about your players does nothing but make a bad situation worse. It reeks of mismanagement.

 

[Kin]

I basically agree with all of this. In theory, suspending a guy for breaking team rules is fine. But to begin with one game, making Kadri talk to the media on that basis, and then escalate it later without warming, has the effect of throwing your player under the bus and undermining an already terrible dressing room situation.

In the wake of the Phaneuf-Lupul scandal, feeding the media with more vaguely worded innuendo about your players does nothing but make a bad situation worse. It reeks of mismanagement.

Except we don't know what went on between Kadri and the team between that initial suspension and now.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

The lesson seems to be, you can check out on the ice as long as you're on time for practices and meetings.

This really has absolutely nothing to do with on-ice results.

I don't think that's it's entirely related to the on-ice product, but I think it absolutely is being influenced by the performance of the team too.  I mean Kulemin came out before the Islanders game and said that his punishment for missing a practice was a fine and no suspension.  If the team is in a playoff race I extremely doubt that that Kadri gets a 3+-game suspension.

But Shanahan specifically said there were other past things that contributed to this suspension, which wouldn't have been the case for Kulemin (that we are aware of).  Shanahan said that if this was the only incident then it would have been nowhere near such a big deal and Kadri would have only had to buy the team dinner or something like that.

And from the outside perspective, I find the lack of information disappointing.  While we aren't entitled to the nitty gritty.  Is it just a frequent habit of Kadri being late, not paying attention in meetings?  Is he constantly breaking curfew?  Has he done something inappropriate to one of the players/families in the dressing room that has caused a problem.  I just find that with a team with as poor an image as this one has, making vague suspensions just seems to draw in more questioning and something that might be a bunch of minor infractions is just going to draw a bunch of questioning to an already poisoned lockerroom.

And to be honest, if it was needing this kind of punishment, why not just come out and let it be known rather than suspend him for the Islanders game...then wait until this morning to suspend him more.  It just repopulates a story that could potentially be over and done with.

I basically agree with all of this. In theory, suspending a guy for breaking team rules is fine. But to begin with one game, making Kadri talk to the media on that basis, and then escalate it later without warming, has the effect of throwing your player under the bus and undermining an already terrible dressing room situation.

In the wake of the Phaneuf-Lupul scandal, feeding the media with more vaguely worded innuendo about your players does nothing but make a bad situation worse. It reeks of mismanagement.

Agreed.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

In the wake of the Phaneuf-Lupul scandal, feeding the media with more vaguely worded innuendo about your players does nothing but make a bad situation worse. It reeks of mismanagement.

And going into details about Kadri's issues likely does nothing but drag Nazem through the mud even more than they have to. I'm sure the Leafs are much more concerned about Kadri's future than they are with their image right now.