BUFFALO – Though he understood the need to protect goaltenders, Nazem Kadri said he was a little surprised to receive a three-game suspension for his collision with Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom. "I didnt quite realize the length was going to be something like this," said Kadri from First Niagara Center in Buffalo on Friday morning. "I maybe thought a fine or a game or two [games] max." Kadri wont be eligible to return until Nov. 21 against Nashville, further hampering the Leafs situation at centre ice. Already forced to move James van Riemsdyk to the middle with Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland both out, the suspension to Kadri could not come at a more precarious time. "Id have to say this is a new one," Randy Carlyle said with a nervous laugh ahead of a home-and-home set with the Sabres. "You have plan A, B, C and D in the drawer and I think were at E and F right now." Those plans will include 28-year-old Trevor Smith, who rejoined the Leafs from the Marlies following a game in Cleveland on Thursday night. Smith, the Marlies captain, has 12 points in seven AHL games, but had been plugged exclusively on a fourth line in previous stints with the club. "We cant expect Trevor Smith to come up at put him on our fourth line," said Carlyle. "Its unfair to him in this situation. When we had other people ahead of him, we had Bozak, we had Bolland, its a little bit different, but in tonights situation hes going to play a prominent role in an offensive line." Smith joins an unlikely group at centre that includes van Riemsdyk, Jay McClement and Jerred Smithson, who was just inked by the organization to an NHL contract last week. Among the leagues most potent groups at even-strength last season, the Leafs have struggled at times to generate offence this season. Over the past four games – three losses – theyve managed just one even-strength goal, a Joffrey Lupul marker in a 3-1 loss to Boston. Second on the team with 14 points, Kadris absence wont help to address the deficiency. "Thats really the most disappointing part is knowing that were short some guys and really I cant do anything to help, but just play the waiting game right now," Kadri said. Kadri had just deflected a shot on goal from Lupul early in the first period Wednesday night before he forcefully bumped a startled Backstrom with arms extended in the Minnesota crease. Later ejected for a thunderous neutral zone hit on Mikael Granlund, the 23-year-old called the collision with Backstrom accidental, but understood the NHLs recent mandate to increase protection for goaltenders. "I was just trying to go to the net hard to make a play and just ran out of real estate and accidentally bumped into him," said Kadri, who had a hearing with NHL Senior VP of player safety Brendan Shanahan on Thursday afternoon. It was here in Buffalo that an increased mandate for such protection started. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was bowled over by Bruins forward Milan Lucic in 2011, leading NHL general managers to request that Shanahan take further action. "I think the temperature of that has changed over the last two years," said Carlyle, acknowledging the role of general managers and ownership around the league. Backstrom was concussed as a result of the incident with Kadri, driving the decision toward a three-game sit-down. "Its definitely understandable," said Kadri, professing hope that Backstrom was okay. "I know theyve kind of cracked down on the interference with the goaltenders and players [have] got to be aware of their surroundings now. That being said, it was unintentional." Daniel Carcillo Jersey . The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. Peter Mueller Jersey . LUCIE, Fla. https://www.cheapcoyotes.com/ .com) - Novak Djokovic easily took care of Andy Murray to reach the final at the $2. Nick Schmaltz Jersey . 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery. Ilya Lyubushkin Jersey . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials. HAMILTON, Ont. -- The CFLs Tiger-Cats reached a 20-year lease agreement with the city of Hamilton for the use of the new Tim Hortons Field on Thursday. The $145.7-million stadium is set to open this season with the Ticats scheduled to play their first regular-season home game there July 26 versus expansion Ottawa. The agreement, which will see the CFL club commit upwards of $30 million over the term, was approved by civic officials Wednesday night. "The Tiger-Cats are beyond excited to enter this 20-year partnership with the City of Hamilton," Ticats owner Bob Young said in a statement. "We are making a significant investment, but the opportunity to play at Tim Hortons Field is transformative for our business and puts the team in position to be successful for years to come.dddddddddddd. "We look forward to working with our partners at the City towards the shared vision of our communitys brand-new, world-class facility." The stadium will also be home for the soccer competition of the 2015 Pan American Games. "Were thrilled about this partnership with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which will benefit the city, our taxpayers, as well as the Ticats," Hamilton major Bob Bratina said. "The agreement mitigates risk for taxpayers and will create hundreds of new jobs. "This is truly a win for both the City and the Ticats." ' ' '