Leafs captain John Tavares speaks his mind about Zadorov's high hit on Kase
Following Thursday's deflating 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, several Leafs spoke with the media, but perhaps no subject was addressed with more conviction than the Nikita Zadorov head shot on Leafs winger Ondrej Kase.
Sheldon Keefe spoke out about the hit during his availability, calling for the Department of Player Safety to review what he called a "violent" hit. When you take a look at the different angles and some of the stills, the head is clearly the primary point of contact, so it would be a bit odd if the league didn't at least look at it.
Leafs captain John Tavares also spoke about the hit during his media session, and it was abundantly clear through his assessment of the hit that he too hopes the league takes a look.
"I didn't like it," Tavares said of Zadorov's head shot on Kase. "I thought his hands came up high... I didn't see any replay of it, but I thought his hands finished up high."
"You don't want to see anyone get hit in the head," the captain continued, "I think that's what we're trying to eliminate. It's a fast game, refs are trying to make the right call - I just didn't like it.. I thought his hands finished high."
After taking the hit, Kase went straight down the tunnel to the Leafs' dressing room and did not return. There was no update on Kase's status after the game. Hopefully we hear something at some point on Friday or early Saturday. One thing is for sure.. it didn't look good.
