The Maple Leafs’ search for offence has brought another line dance that sees rookie Nazem Kadri inserted as the team’s No. 1 centre.

At practice this morning, Kadri was back in the middle, where he has played a few shifts, with slumping Phil Kessel on his right wing and Clarke MacArthur on his left.

The second unit had Mikhail Grabovski between Luca Caputi and Nikolai Kulemin. The third unit saw Tyler Bozak between Fredrik Sjostrom and Kris Versteeg, while the fourth line featured Tim Brent between Mike Brown and Colton Orr.

Goaltender J.S. Giguere participated in full practice for the first time since straining a groin muscle during a win over Nashville on Nov. 16.

Both Colby Armstrong and Dion Phaneuf skated before the workout. Armstrong then stuck around for about 20 minutes of the main practice before departing.

The Leafs host Steve Stamkos — the NHL’s leading goal scorer with 21 — and the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow night. While Toronto has won three straight on home ice, the Leafs were abysmal over the weekend, losing 3-1 at Buffalo and 3-0 at Ottawa.

Kadri, the Leafs seventh overall pick in 2009, has mostly played the wing in his seven games since being recalled from the Marlies. He has seen some work at his natural centre position and was moved back there with Kessel part way through Saturday’s game at Ottawa.

Late this afternoon, the Leafs demoted Caputi to the Marlies. That will obviously require some additional line movement for the Tampa game - John Mitchell was without a line during the workout - but it does appear that Kadri will continue to centre Kessel and MacArthur.

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