Leafs forbid media from talking to Kadri until after suspension

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri for the remainder of the first round for a cross-check to the head of Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk during Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday night.

It is a second straight playoff suspension for Kadri, who should answer to his action, however, the Maple Leafs have just confirmed on Tuesday that the 28-year-old would not meet with media until after his first-round suspension, according to TSN’s Mark Masters. 

Kadri was present at the team’s practice on Tuesday and led the team’s stretching period, however, the Leafs made it clear he would stay away from media. 

Head coach Mike Babcock talked about his suspended player after practice, and told reporters how he is dealing with Kadri moving forward. 

“To me he is just like an injured player, right, he is not available so the rest of us are moving on here. Ideally we’ll play well enough so Naze joins us again.”

The suspension is the fifth of Kadri’s nine-year career. All five suspensions have been the result of illegal hits to the head.

Game 4 between the two teams goes Wednesday night from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.