Nazem Kadri

Kadri had never threatened a point-per-game pace over the course of a full 82-game season his entire career, but he blew past that mark and then some a year ago, finishing with 28 goals and 87 points in 71 games. Kadri missed four games in Colorado's run to the Stanley Cup with a thumb issue, but returned for their final three contests. Kadri picked a great time for a career-best year, as he entered unrestricted free agency this past summer. He stayed on the market for over a month before signing with the Flames in August. The center, who turns 32 in October, will likely reprise his second-line role with his new team, though Calgary's lack of depth compared to Colorado - as well as Kadri's heavy expected regression - will likely lead to him posting noticeably lower scoring numbers.

Kadri was plagued by his worst shooting percentage in five years (6.5 percent), leading to just 11 goals and 32 points in 56 games in 2020-21. Those were the veteran center's lowest totals since 2012-13. While some fantasy managers might be concerned that he's on the decline at 30 years old, it's more likely the Ontario native is poised for a bounce-back campaign in 2021-22. His lowest point total in a full NHL campaign is 39, but he's also reached the 50-point threshold three times while topping 60 once. There's enough talent to go around in Colorado, and Kadri should come at a discount in fantasy drafts, making him worth a look as a late-round depth pick. Expect the second-line center to log 45-55 points if he can stay healthy.

Kadri missed 19 games during the shortened 2019-20 campaign due to a lower-body injury, but he was his usual productive self when healthy, notching 19 goals, 17 assists, 11 power-play points, 133 shots on goal and 97 PIM in 51 games in his first year with the Avalanche. Last season marked the first time the 30-year-old pivot had been forced to miss significant time due to injury through his first 11 years in the league, so fantasy owners can chalk that up to an aberration rather than a sign of things to come. Kadri is still capable of playing at a 30-plus goal, 55-plus point pace over the course of a full season, and he'll also chip in with double-digit power-play points, over 2.5 shots per game and a healthy dose of PIM, making him worthy of a pick somewhere in the middle rounds in most fantasy formats. He'll once again center Colorado's second line while seeing plenty of action with the man advantage while skating on the Avs' first power-play unit this season.

Kadri arrived in Colorado with a chip on his shoulder. The Leafs seemingly gave up on the hot-headed Toronto native after yet another postseason suspension, but the reality is far simpler. The June deal that took the 28-year-old to Mile High was a hockey trade and a good one for both teams. Suddenly, Kadri is back centering the second line, not the third, and depending on how the lines shake down, Nazzy could find himself skating with Mikko Rantanen at even strength. The second power-play unit is also all but a lock at this point. Don't be surprised to see Kadri deliver his third 30-goal season and maybe even break his career high of 61 points in 2019-20. He'll help you win your league.

Kadri's ascension into the ranks of the NHL's best two-way pivots is complete. Under coach Mike Babcock, Kadri has gone from twerp to Selke Trophy-worthy star. No kidding. Last season, he played against the opponent's best, yet still managed a second straight 32-goal season. Plus, he has averaged 58 points over the last two years. Sure, Kadri will be the Leafs' third-line pivot now that John Tavares has arrived. But he will be the best third-line center in the NHL, likely working alongside a dangerous duo in Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen, or even with the redemption-seeking Tyler Ennis. At just 27 years old, Kadri should deliver another 30-goal, 55-point season to help you win your league.

Kadri has become one of the NHL's best two-way centers -- yes, you read that right. He set career marks in goals (32) and points (61) last season and became a premier agitator. Just ask Alexander Ovechkin, who absorbed an old-school hip check from Kadri in Game 5 of their Round 1 playoff series. Kadri's game has grown exponentially under coach Mike Babcock. He could always score, but now plays really well without the puck. Kadri might not replicate his top-20 goal and top-40 point totals from 2016-17, but then again, he just might. And that makes him the kind of core fantasy player that will help deliver you a fantasy championship.

Kadri parlayed his best all-around season in Toronto into a six-year, $27.5 million deal at the end of 2015-16. He led the team in scoring with 45 points while taking on the role of shutdown center against the opposition's best forwards. Sure, Nazzy still grates guys the wrong way and he's prone to diving. But Kadri has finally started to grow up as a man and his game has come along for the ride. He'll never be an elite offensive guy and will move down the lineup over time, once Auston Matthews and William Nylander assume the mantle of one-two down the middle. But this season, he'll be a 50-plus-point guy and a fixture on the power play.

Kadri's ego will finally meet opportunity this season – he’s penciled in as the top-line center he fancies himself. But he has a lot to prove. There are rumors of off-ice “issues,” and then there’s Kadri's on-ice performance … or lack thereof. Sure, his “complete” game does seem to be improving. But you’re staring at a guy with a career 45 percent faceoff percentage who potted just 39 points in 73 games last season. Yes, Mike Babcock will help the whole team, but it’ll be a stretch for Nazzy to get near 60 points. It’s make-or-break time for this cocky Leaf – he’ll be 25 on Opening Night, and there are plenty of younger (and more dedicated) guys who’ll push him. He may rise to the occasion … or fall on his face. The risk is yours.

Will Kadri's growth continue? The hype machine was on full display after he delivered 44 points in 48 games in the lockout-shortened 2012-13, but he couldn't carry that kind of production into last season. He did establish new career-bests in goals (20) and points (50), including 18 on the power play, but he had just nine points -- including five goals -- in 22 games after the Olympic break. He's still a wild card -- his plus-minus last season was horrible (minus-11), and he hasn't found a way to produce when the games get tough late in the season. Still, he's the Leafs' undisputed second-line center who'll see ice time on the second power-play unit. He'll toss his weight around and bring you respectable numbers in PIMs and hits, but don't be afraid to trade him if he gets off to hot start. We fully expect him to settle into a 50-to-60 point groove for the next few years, but a Leafs fan might overpay, thinking he's a 70-point stud.

Wow -- what a season for Kadri, who finished second to only Phil Kessel in team scoring with 42 points in 48 games. Sure, there was a late-season drop-off and a relative disappearance in the postseason -- he's still an NHL baby as far as pressure situations go. But it appears he has finally tossed off the goat and is poised to be a scoring center in the NHL after all. His contract status is still in the air in mid summer and it might even come down to a training camp deal for the young man. The contract status shouldn't affect his confidence or his output, and we think he can bring home a 65-point season in 2013-14.

Welcome to the NHL, Mr. Kadri -- now let's see if you can play. We've been critical of him and his skill set since draft day, and unfortunately, we've been right. His offensive skills are elite and his game is growing, but his decision-making is questionable and his impact will be limited -- he'll be a third-liner this season, at best, but he "might" see occasional power-play time. We once thought he could be another Darcy Tucker, but we're not convinced of that anymore, either. Avoid the hype -- leave this 30-point winger to the Leafs fan in your league, at least for this season.

There’s no question Kadri has skill. But he still needs work on his effort and consistency. A move off center sure helps; so will another stint with the Marlies for 2011-12. He has zero opportunity to crack the top-six in Toronto so a trip down Lakeshore Drive would be the best thing for his career. Heck, it fits with general manager Brian Burke’s top-six, bottom-six philosophy so we hope the Leafs will be smart and give him that chance to completely dominate the AHL. Leafs fans will flip; so will Canada’s Don Cherry. But we’re starting to think that kid gloves may be the best -- and only -- way to grow this enigmatic talent into an abrasive, Corey Perry-lite. Otherwise, he could just be another Darcy Tucker.

Kadri is quite easily the Leafs' best prospects and most fantasy pundits consider him a top-10 overall prospect. But is that because most hockey thinkers live and work close to the center of the hockey universe and drink blue Kool-Aid? We love his offensive skills and his speedy wheels but we don't like his petulance and immaturity. He's going to be given a chance to earn the job as second-line center in Toronto and he could deliver you 40 points. But he could just as easily have a career trajectory like Darcy Tucker. Tucker may have been a lower draft pick back in 1993 but his offensive skills (at least then) were similar. Single-year leagues should avoid him this year but keeper leagues should definitely scoop him up, if for no other reason than to lever him in a trade to a Leafs' fan. They always overpay...

The Ottawa Senators coveted this shifty, skilled forward this past June but Leafs’ general manager Brian Burke thumbed his nose at them, grabbing Kadri at pick seven. He’s a future second-line winger who’ll add some flash and dash to the blue-and-white in a few years and some day deliver 70-75 points. Keeper leaguers should already know his name.