The Maple Leafs selected London Knights’ forward Nazem Kadri with the seventh pick overall on Friday’s NHL Entry draft. Unable to make a trade to move higher in the draft, Leafs general manager selected the 18-year-old London native who plays for his hometown Knights, and led the OHL last year with 10 shorthanded goals.
“We really like him,” Burke said. “He’s got good offensive skills and he has a bit of feistiness, too. They think he’s creative and explosive. He’s intense and they like his physical play even though he’s not that big guy.”
After months of speculation, the top five picks were selected in their consensus order, with the Islanders leading the way by taking John Tavares first overall. Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman went to Tampa, followed by Brampton Battalion forward Matt Duchene going to Colorado.
Atlanta selected Evander Kane at number 4, while Brayden Schenn – Luke’s younger brother – went to the Los Angeles Kings.
Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:
Leafs News
- Breaking the Hab-it Toronto Sun
- Maple Leafs get role model Toronto Star
- Burke couldn’t get his pick, but still got an impact player Toronto Star
- Leafs settle for seventh National Post
- Burke looking a year down the road The Globe And Mail
- Burke says Kadri was always his top pick The Globe And Mail
- Burke snaps back Toronto Sun
- The Kadri File Toronto Sun
NHL and Hockey News
- Tavares is No. 1! Ottawa Sun
- Islanders just can’t pass on Tavares CP
- Islanders ready for ‘bright future’ with Tavares National Post
- Reinsdorf enters his lowball bid Toronto Sun
- Lecavalier to Habs talk hits fever pitch Toronto Sun
- Pronger deal real capper Ottawa Sun
- Flames trade for Bouwmeester Calgary Herald
