There are few teams in the entire National Hockey League that are as polarizing as the Toronto Maple Leafs. Either we like them or we don't like them, but on the player side the opinion seems clear.
When forward Nazem Kadri said goodbye to the Queen City in 2019 after a decade with the organization, he realized there was a certain satisfaction in beating the Leafs.
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It has now been five years since Ontarians wore the colors of the enemy, those of the Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames. On Wednesday on Sportsnet 590's “Real Kyper and Bourne,” Kadri was asked if it was important for the players to beat the Maple Leafs.
“That’s a fact,” he replied, laughing. I didn't realize it until I left the Toronto bubble. Everyone wants to beat the Leafs. It’s an organization with a lot of class and history.”
“It’s always a little personal, especially for me,” he continued. As a former Maple Leafs player, I still have these few games left [contre eux] is circled on my calendar, especially if you go to Toronto.”
Kadri would get a great opportunity to back up his words on Thursday night as his Flames were scheduled to host the Leafs.