Toronto Maple Leafs: Does Nazem Kadri Fit Brian Burke's Mould?

Nazem Kadri scored a beautiful shootout goal on Thursday night to keep the Maple Leafs in the playoff hunt. The young talent has impressed the coaching staff with improved defensive play along with his obvious offensive abilities, but has he cemented a job for next season?

Kadri clearly has the offensive abilities to play at the NHL level on a consistent basis, but his defensive game remains a question. Until recently, management was reluctant to call him up from the minors, but decided to give him another chance when Colby Armstrong went down for the season with injury.

Kadri’s improved play as of late has earned him many accolades. Teammates, coaches, management, media and fans seem to have found a renewed excitement for the young star.

Albeit, excitement surrounding Kadri will remain minimal due to his past struggles and the relatively short time period from which he has succeeded over the last few weeks. Regardless, Kadri has been playing on the third line since replacing Armstrong and has indeed impressed.   

In the case of Kadri, skill is not the question. He has all the tools needed to become a remarkable talent in the near future. But does he fit into Brian Burke’s plan?

The general manager of the Leafs uses a simple formula when constructing a hockey club, which includes top six and bottom six forwards.

Going into the offseason, management will be on the prowl for a legitimate top line center to play between the likes of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. For all intensive purposes, Tyler Bozak is to be replaced, but not with Kadri.

If Clarke MacArthur resigns, the Leafs will have already found their second unit, which makes Mikhail Grabovski the second line center.

Kadri has found some success of the third line, but next year that spot would more than likely go to a demoted Bozak, due to his experience with the organization. This is, of course, if Burke can land a top line center.

So, where does Kadri fit?

It’s conceivable that, if Kadri continues to play well, he could go into next season competing for the role of top line center.

But the odds of Burke not acquiring a top line center in the offseason are relatively low considering the assets he has to pull off a trade or the cap space available to sign a free agent.

Moreover, Bozak’s experience would give him the upper hand over Kadri when competing for the No. 1 role if Burke were to be unsuccessful in acquiring a coveted go-to center.

I hope that Kadri finds his way onto the Leafs' roster next year one way or another, but I just don’t know if he fits Burke’s mould.

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