Nazem Kadri is the Real Deal

Kadri celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres, Januar y 21, 2013. (Photo by Nathan Denette)

The opening goal of the season on Saturday night in Montreal, and a goal to keep the Leafs in contention in Monday night's game against Buffalo. After two games this season, Nazem Kadri has scored 66.6% of the Maple Leafs' goals this season. Yes, that is a silly statistic, but Kadri has been given almost no chance to prove himself in the past three years. Now he's off to a hot start before everyone else.

An above point-per-game player while in the OHL, and nearly one while with the Marlies the past two years, Kadri only played in 51 NHL games before this season; a single game in 2009-10, 29 games in 2010-11, and 21 games in 2011-12. Although he has a little ways to go, Kadri shows superb promise in the near future.

Kadri's goal on Monday was the lone Toronto goal of the night. Kessel had 7 shots on Ryan Miller throughout the game, Phaneuf had 6, Lupul had 4, and Liles had 4. While none of them scored a single goal, Kadri got one past Miller with just one shot on net. Though it isn't the most fair comparison - Kadri essentially had an open net after Kostka's weak shot - Kadri has scored two goals this season nonetheless, while the "stars" of the Leafs have not. What has Toronto been missing all this time? Nazem Kadri of course. I've believed in him, Don Cherry's believed in him, and we're still here. Ron Wilson and Brian Burke are not.

Also, I'm impressed by the work by Ben Scrivens early this season. With a GAA of 1.53 and a save percentage of .929, things are looking good so far for the Leafs' "backup" goaltender. With Mark Fraser also in the lineup Monday night, and even getting in a fight, the young members of the Leafs roster are leading the way in this silly season.

Scrivens stopped 18 of 20 shots faced in Monday night's game against Buffalo. (Photo by Nathan Denette)