Babcock says Kadri is 'a way better player' than he expected

Despite totalling one goal in 19 games, Nazem Kadri has made quite the impression on first-year head coach Mike Babcock.

"This is my two cents on Naz: He's been, in my opinion, the best forward on our team," the Toronto Maple Leafs' bench boss declared, according to Stephen Whyno of The Canadian Press. "He competes every night, he's in on all the chances, he generates a ton. He's a way better player than I expected."

Kadri's lack of goals certainly isn't for a lack of trying. His 81 shots rank him second only to Alex Ovechkin in that category, while his 1.2 shooting percentage is the lowest in the league among players with at least 50 shots.

"In the end, if he keeps working hard he'll find a way to score," Babcock continued. "In a hundred-mile journey, he's on mile 25. He's going to get way better as long as he competes. If he wants to be good, he's going to be good."

For his part, Kadri seems to be keeping a level head about his lack of tangible production.

"I'd be a little more frustrated if I wasn't getting the chances and the opportunities and it was a little bit tougher for me to get shots on nets," Kadri said. "If I keep getting pucks to the net, good things are going to happen."

On pace to record 350 shots - which would smash his previous career high of 176 - Kadri could be in line to fill up the net with great regularity should he revert back to his career success rate of 11 percent.