More worries for Leafs than just Kadri
- Details
- Category: Hockey
- Published Tuesday, March 10, 2015
- Toronto Sun
TORONTO -
Nazem Kadri won't have to worry about being late for the game.
One day after arriving 20 minutes late for a team meeting at the MasterCard Centre and being sent home by interim head coach Peter Horachek, the Maple Leafs forward will be a healthy scratch against the visiting Islanders on Monday night.
Kadri, among the first players on the ice for Monday's game-day skate — and the last one off — called the situation a mistake.
"I screwed up, so I've got to face the consequences," Kadri told about 25 reporters stationed around his stall on Monday morning. "I'm not going to sit here and try to make excuses. It was my fault and I'll accept whatever is given to me."
Horachek was peppered with questions about his decision to sit out the forward and was clearly eager to put the situation in the rearview.
"Things I say to him in my office are between me and him," the coach said.
Ex-Leaf Cody Franson and defenceman Roman Polak missed a practice several weeks ago after running into car trouble. The pair was not punished.
"Is that the same?" Horachek said. "The difference is, you're not showing up and you're responsible for that situation. That's enough said."
Kadri's stall-mate, Joffrey Lupul, said the two spoke on Monday morning.
"He messed up," Lupul said. "He's not a bad guy. He made a mistake and he'll deal with it and it will be over."
In 64 games this season, Kadri has 16 goals and 36 points, fourth-best on the team.
Newcomer Zach Sill will take Kadri's spot at the centre position against the Islanders.
