TORONTO - When he watches Sidney Crosby, Nazem Kadri does all he can to stop from sneaking a pad on to the Maple Leafs bench to take notes.
“Everyone can take something out of his game, especially when he comes to town or we go there,” Kadri said of the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar. “Every single player on this team has to elevate their game. If you don’t, he is going to burn you.”
Unlike opposing players, fans and media, for the most part, aren’t at ice level to watch the 25-year-old work his magic. It’s one thing to marvel at Crosby from a distance, quite another to play on the same surface.
Kadri tries to soak up all he can when the Leafs play the Penguins.
“He has top-end talent but his work ethic and determination are on a whole other level,” Kadri said. “He refuses to be out-willed. He’s the guy — you can put your money on it — if the puck is going in the corner, and he is after it, most likely he is going to be the one coming up with it.
