Nazem Kadri Defends Leafs Core Four's Toughness

Former Toronto Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri, in his own Leafs tenure being someone willing to play physical, is speaking out against the Leafs perceived "soft" reputation, defending Toronto's ability to play with pressure.

Kadri, now with the Calgary Flames, says that the Maple Leafs have an underrated physicality that goes unnoticed around the league, saying that the team does a lot of little things to be menacing on the ice. He credited the Leafs top players and their abilities to be tough, even if it's not noticed.

Having spent 10 seasons with the Maple Leafs, Kadri who played alongside Toronto's "Core 4", would have an understanding of their commitments to defense, and what the players are able to do, as well as the physical demands of GM Brad Treliving, who Kadri played under last season in Calgary.

The Flames play the Leafs at 7:30p.m. EST, with a chance to prove that Kadri's comments about their physical abilities are correct, and that the team isn't afraid of taking on a defensive challenge.