Does Anybody Actually Have An Issue With This Nazem Kadri Throat Slashing Gesture
Earlier today, Leafs forward Nazem Kadri was fined $5,000 by the NHL for this throat slash gesture he made toward Calgary captain Mark Giordano on Tuesday night. Kadri got popped up high on a hit by Giordano and the hit was perfectly clean. With that being said, any time you get hit in the head, you’re gonna be a little pissed about it afterward. $5,000 was the maximum fine the NHL could have handed to Kadri under the current CBA, and there are actually people out there who think that Kadri should have been suspended a game for this. Now chances are, these people probably just hate Muslims and sneaky think that Kadri is a terrorist.
UPDATE: Take this guy for example.
Same people who hate Cam Newton for dancing in the end zone probably want Nazem Kadri to be suspended for this gesture. Well, maybe only a quarter of those people since I can’t imagine many of them watch hockey but still. I’m just having a very hard time wrapping my head around the idea that there are people out there who think that emotions like this don’t make the game better.
Is Nazem Kadri a bit of a punk out there on the ice? Absolutely. But that’s what he’s there for. He’s a skilled player who gets under people’s skin. Those are some of the most entertaining players to watch as a fan. Your Nazem Kadri’s. Your Brad Marchand’s. They’re the wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve kind of players that you love to hate. They up the entertainment value of the game whether it’s with their hands or with their lips. If anything, we need more of that in the league. Because for as great as a player like Jonathan Toews–who always carries himself professionally and just cares about winning–is to watch, it’s equally as entertaining to watch guys show some actual emotion and personality out there. Which brings me to my next point that there should 100% be an option to listen to a broadcast that is strictly mic’d up players. Because that’s where the real theater is at.
Also, can’t write a blog about the Leafs without mentioning how well they’re setting themselves up for the future. Not quite sure what their plan is with Kadri right now, who becomes a restricted free agent in the summer. But they have 10 forwards who hit free agency this summer. Another 4 that hit free agency next summer. They’re going to most likely have a top 3 pick in the draft this June. They already have William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Dmytro Timashov and Kasperi Kapanen just waiting to get called up. They’re going to do everything they possibly can to bring Stamkos back home to the 6 in July. Then they’re hosting the World Cup of Hockey in September. Wouldn’t be the worst time ever for a Barstool Toronto.
Disclaimer: It’s a slow day in the hockey world. I know.