Leafs call up Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, via Twitter, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled both Keith Aulie and Nazem Kadri.  The Leafs have lost seven straight games and now have to rush their kids’ development against their will.

By now everyone should consider both of these players to be household names but here is a brief overview regardless:

Kadri was demoted to the Toronto Marlies following an up and down training camp.  Since his demotion he has responded with a point-per-game pace over 14 games and currently leads the team in scoring.

Aulie, on the other hand, is a stay-at-home defenseman who was part of the Dion Phaneuf trade.  Back in 2009 he was paired with Tyler Myers during the World Junior Hockey Championship and won a gold medal.  He could add a similar dimension of toughness to the blue line, which the team lacks with captain Phaneuf.

Hockey’s Future ranks Kadri as the team’s number one prospect while Aulie is ranked at the 8th spot– most likely because he does not put up offensive numbers.

After the callup, I reached out to James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail on the topic of Tyler Bozak.  There has been no talk about demoting him yet, but as Mirtle points out there but there really should be considering his below average production.