Are the Leafs on the way to destroying another 1st round draft pick?

Maybe the Maple Leafs are better off trading away their first picks afterall.

In the NHL there is more enough pressure that comes with being a high first round draft pick. But the most pressure is reserved for those fortunate enough to be selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's great on draft day to be photographed in a Maple Leaf jersey shaking hands with MLSE executives or retired Leaf stars. But all that changes when you get on the ice. The pressure is immense as a result high expectations from frustrated fans, desperate coaches and impatient managers. It's a formula for failure.

The number of Leaf draft picks that have been destroyed far out number the success stories. For every Darryl Sittler there have been so many like Eric Fichaud, Jeff Ware, and Brandon Convery. The lucky ones get away like Tuukka Rask or Brad Boyes.

Years of futility and the desire for a quick fix mean the same errors are repeated over and over again. Two years ago after a good preseason, Leaf management determined that first round pick Luke Schenn was too good to return to his Junior team. Unfortunately since that time he hasn't played as well as he did in those early days as a Leaf. Perhaps he will eventually come around but Leaf history would suggest he may not.

The following season with Brian Burke in charge first round pick Nazem Kadri was returned to his Junior team despite a terrific preseason. Burke has a history of giving prospects time to develop. In Anaheim, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan all spent time in the minors.

So here we are, year 2 for Kadri and he is obviously not ready for the NHL. However, the Leafs were counting on Kadri to play centre on one of the top 3 lines. Coach Wilson is pretty thin up the middle so there is a strong temptation to keep him around and see how he makes out. Add to that is Burke's burning desire to make the playoffs this spring.

So will the Leafs do the right thing and wait out Nazem Kadri or throw him to the wolves? Lets hope they don't ruin another teenager.