Leafs confirm the worst for forward Nazem Kadri

In case you missed it, last night Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri left the ice and did not return after receiving a CRUSHING open ice hit by St. Louis Blues defender Vince Dunn.

Here’s the hit in question:

Kadri left the game immediately for “precautionary reasons” only to have it confirmed later that he had indeed suffered a concussion.

There’s obviously no timetable for Kadri’s return and so this has to be seen as crushing news for a team with such high expectations. The 28 year old Kadri has 15 goals and 35 points in 59 games with the Leafs this season and has been a thorn in the side of the opposition all season long. With a 1-2-3 punch of John Tavares, Auston Matthews and Kadri at the center ice position, the Leafs boast some of the best center depth in the NHL. But, with Kadri expected to be out long-term, players like Par Lindholm and Frederik Gauthier will be counted on to step up and play more meaningful minutes.