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Nazem Kadri, for several years, has envisioned himself as a first-line centre in the National Hockey League.

Funny what can happen when a club, in this case the Maple Leafs, has not only restored respectability in the franchise but has worked diligently to become closer to being a legitimate and consistent Stanley Cup contender.

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Kadri, the longest-serving current Leaf, will be Toronto’s third-line centre when the 2018-19 season starts, behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

Never mind that Kadri is coming off back-to-back 32-goal seasons.

“You know what, winning is the most important to me,” Kadri said on Wednesday before teeing off at Glen Abbey at the NHL Players’ Association’s annual charity golf tournament.

“And I know that is maybe a cliche for you guys, but that is the honest truth. I don’t care where I play, I don’t care what role I play. Obviously, I want to be an impact player and I want to continue to have the success I have been having, and I think players ahead of me will give me the chance to do that.