ANAHEIM — When the subject of Ondrej Kase’s gall-to-the-wall playing style was recently brought up, Wayne Simmonds couldn’t help but shake his head, widen his eyes, and chuckle. In admiration.
“He’s like a kamikaze fighter out there, man. He does not care,” Simmonds said. “He goes and plays his heart out every single night, every single shift. He doesn’t care if he’s getting hit or doing the hitting.”
Like a bull charging into a china shop, only the shop is already swarming with five other bulls.
When the winger was asked if anyone has warned him to pull back on his KamiKase approach, he laughed.
“My mom,” he admitted.
Kase’s parents wake up in the middle of the night back home in the Czech Republic to watch every game.
“Sometimes I take a bad hit, or I block a shot. So, my mom is squeamish every time. My dad [gives me the same advice], but he was a coach. But [no] coaches or anyone told me not to,” Kase said.
“It’s my game. I try to do my best for the team to win the game. I’m in the game like 110 per cent and try to do my best there. That’s why.”
Already in this young season, the rejuvenated Kase has been forced to miss multiple practices after launching his body in front of a blasted puck the night prior.
But, until Friday in San Jose, he had never missed a Leafs game.
Something a little more alarming is going on now.
Though happy to push through pain, Kase hasn’t hit the ice since Wednesday’s win in L.A.
An unspecified upper-body injury will force the former Duck to sit again Sunday in his return to Anaheim, where he once put up 20 goals.
Concussions limited Kase to just three games played for Boston last season. The Leafs signing him was agreed to be a shrewd move — provided he could remain healthy.
There is risk on both sides here, but Kase’s health needs to be top priority.
“Any time you have him not playing, it stands out a little bit more than anyone else,” coach Sheldon Keefe recognizes.
“Obviously, with what he’s been through, there’s going to be a lot more caution.”
Spezza celebrates 1,200
On the eve of Jason Spezza’s 1,200th career game, Keefe admitted that he’s considered healthy-scratching his oldest player this season to manage his workload but elected to not even broach the subject with Spezza “because he’s been through that situation before.”
Keefe and his staff considered sitting Spezza and Wayne Simmonds for the back-to-back in Buffalo game but decided on to only rest one.
“He’s a guy that loves his rhythm and loves to play. So, it’s not an easy thing [to scratch him], just like it’s not easy with Wayne. But we have to be smart about that,” explains Keefe, who loves the leadership as much as the sharp-angle clapper.
A well of hockey wisdom, Spezza credits his love for the process and his one-day-at-a-time mindset for helping him reach these milestones.
His best advice to young players who wonder how he’s still ripping it in Year 19: Constantly critique your own game. Figure out where you fit in the team structure and how to enhance your role. The coach has 23 guys to worry about, so by the time he points out your flaws, it may be too late.
“It’s an adapt-or-die league. If you’re not adapting, you’re out,” Spezza says.
“Something that I pride myself on is evaluating my own game, when I’m going good and when I’m not. And being able to stop the bad momentum and continue the positive momentum in your games. I think that’s a skill you develop over time.”
The 38-year-old will have a challenging time soaking in Game 1,200 inside Honda Center, however. This, of course, is the site of his greatest professional disappointment — when Spezza’s fantastic 2007 Ottawa Senators lost the Stanley Cup to the Ducks.
“It’s a little bit of a House of Horrors for me. It’s my favourite arena to come into,” Spezza said, smiling through the sarcasm.
“Try to come in, get a win and get out of here.”
Clifford makes Leafs debut 2.0
Gritty veteran Kyle Clifford was reacquired by the Leafs from the Blues to boost the club’s depth. In return, St. Louis saves the bulk of the 30-year-old’s $1.3 million salary.
He’s been limited to just two games with the Blues and another pair with the Marlies this season and has been patiently practising with the NHL group throughout this road trip.
Clifford draws into the fourth line Sunday, as Kirill Semyonov comes back out.
“He’s a competitor. He skates well. For a guy low in your lineup, he’s gonna keep his feet moving, bring energy, be physical,” Keefe says. “He’s a good presence on the bench, in the dressing room, just to keep guys even keel. He’s not the most loud or vocal guy, but he’s very good at talking to players — the guy next to him and the guy in the dressing room.”
“He’s a pro’s pro, if you will. And that’s very evident in the time he’s come back here with our group. He understands the situation that he’s in, but he’s embracing that role and the opportunity to join our team. And guys are welcoming him here.”
Dermott’s wait is over
The bottom-pair carousel keeps on spinning.
Travis Dermott has seemingly been passed by Justin Holl and Rasmus Sandin on the depth chart. Now, with Timothy Liljegren bumping the more veteran defender to the press box for four straight games, Dermott is in danger of being passed by again.
Sitting longer than originally intended, Dermott pops back into the lineup Sunday alongside Sandin. The pairing had a lengthy chat with defence coach Dean Chenoweth Saturday after practice
Keefe is challenging Dermott to keep the win streak going.
“There’s a competition going on here that we think is very healthy,” Keefe said.
“The players themselves don’t always love it, but it’s part of the game. You gotta make the most of the opportunities that you do get.”
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