Burke is probably trying to do the Detroit system where we let prospects sit in the AHL for years before bringing them up. Detroit has the luxury of doing that because all our prospects would be fourth liners right now. Toronto doesn't which is why it makes no sense at all to do that with Kadri. I just assume he sucks because he gets little time on the ice on a horrible team which makes no sense.
---------- Post added 2012-04-11 at 02:37 PM ----------
I thought Nail is a natural wing though?
My feeling is why not offer sheet or trade for Matt Duchene. He is a proven Center in the NHL. First line on a team like the Leafs for sure. He is coming off a $3.2 million salary and will probably command something in the $4 million or so range. A player in the $3.1-4.7 million salary range will command a compensation of a 1st and 3rd round picks. Why not offer sheet or straight up trade for him? Colorado I'm sure wants to hold onto him, so either do a predatory offer sheet (say $40/8years which would be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick or $37.6/8years which would be only the 1st and 3rd. Alter the years as desired) or try and trade for him. He is an Ontario kid so you have to imagine he would love to play for the Leafs if the offer sheeted him. You essentially give up your 3rd round pick and skip all the developmental and risk bullshit that accompanies prospects.
But NHL GMs don't use the offer sheet and they don't do logical things like go get a 1st line center when their team needs one so don't expect this to happen.