Apr 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) is escorted to the penalty box by linesman Scott Driscoll (68) after receiving a cross-checking penalty against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

When the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Nazem Kadri the world saw the bright lights and shiny dangles of an offensive prospect out of the junior hockey mecca of the world – the London Knights.

Flash forward several years and roles change on the ever-growing Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kadri does provide offense, and at a good rate, but he’s also capable of doing more – and that’s something that Mike Babcock should continue to entertain now that Auston Matthews is here to provide superstar offense.

In 2015-2016, Nazem Kadri saw his numbers dip – in almost every sense – as he skated with Rielly/Hunwick/Grabner as is three most common linemates. That’s compared to Rielly/Phaneuf/Winnik in 2014-2015.

Dislike Dion Phaneuf as much as you’d like, he’s a better defender than Matt Hunwick – and Daniel Winnik was a much more possession savvy forward than Grabner. Kadri was dealt a tough hand in 2015-2016, and has never found much stability from the coaching staff with respect to quality linemates.

Kadri has long been one of the, if not the, best possession forwards on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were much better overall when he was on the ice compared to most times he wasn’t, but he needs better linemates if he’s going to be successful in a defensive role.

His shot suppression numbers aren’t even close to where you want them to be for a shutdown center – though his offensive generation washes out some of the negative.

With Matthews lining up at center, and potentially Nylander as well, Kadri should be gearing up for some penalty kill time – a situation he likely should have been used in already. If you’re bad at 5v5 there isn’t much to suggest you’ll miraculously be good down a man. Kadri is a safer bet to place on success on the penalty kill.

It’s highly likely, with a shot percentage that goes back to the average, Kadri’s offensive output will return closer to his ~1.7 P60. Better linemates will not only help the offensive cause, but the defensive as well for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

His CA60/FA60 numbers should come down, particularly if he’s not forced to babysit possession-challenged players like Matt Hunwick.

There’s potential for Nazem Kadri to adapt into a very good two-way center, something not initially considered upon his entry into the NHL – but one that should absolutely be entertained with Matthews and Nylander in the mix full time. He can’t do it alone for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he can be the defensive centerpiece to a very effective shutdown line.