Nazem Kadri Discloses Actual Timeline of Playoff Thumb Injury, Revealing He Returned 3x Sooner Than Expected

In case there was any doubt, hockey players are tough as nails. While certain other athletes take themselves out of the lineup for things like general soreness, tightness, or the incredulous 'load management,' hockey players fight through some of the most gruesome injuries, especially come playoff time.

Nazem Kadri has developed a reputation as a tough, hyper-competitive player capable of providing primary scoring on top. During the playoffs, he sustained a serious thumb injury after a cheap shot from Edmonton's Evander Kane:

Kadri disclosed today on TSN's Overdrive that the initial timeline for his recovery was 8 weeks, or 56 days. He returned in just 18 days, 3x sooner than anticipated. And the craziest part is that with his injury, he still had a huge impact on Colorado's triumph in the Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Finals to give his team a commanding 3-1 series lead over the reigning Tampa Bay Lightning:

Scoring a highlight reel goal to all but clinch the Stanley Cup with a broken thumb is the stuff of which legends are made. And for him to return so far ahead of schedule is nothing short of spectacular. The likelihood of him getting pumped full of painkillers is quite high, but that doesn't sound as heroic, so we won't talk about that.

Kadri, like most of his colleagues, embodies the warrior spirit. Hockey fans are spoiled in that regard, as we don't have to put up with various nonsense that runs rampant in other sports. Granted, hockey is not free of all nonsense, but at least we are not subjected to our favorite players missing time because they don't feel like showing up to work.

MUST READ

58 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Penguins legend drops unexpected statement about NHL future before elimination game vs. Flyers

1 hour ago  |  By Skyler Walker Fans furious as controversial referee mistake nearly costs Canadiens the game

2 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Gary Bettman puts NHL's newest market in spotlight as Winter Classic matchup is revealed

2 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Vasily Podkolzin sends Jeffrey Viel to the ice after Oilers' terrible Game 3 collapse

11 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Owen Tippett mocks Crosby on a puck with Philly up 3-0

11 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Nikita Kucherov hurt in Game 3 as Canadiens take series lead

12 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Lane Hutson wins Game 3 in OT but refs steal the show

13 hours ago  |  By Cimon Asselin Oilers suffer late lineup blow before pivotal Game 3 in Anaheim

MORE STORIES