It’s pretty well established that the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t have a lot in the way of value that other teams would want to trade for.
But one player who would have drawn big interest is defenseman Tomas Kaberle. I say “would” because he is now lost to the team for up to a month with a broken right hand. While Toronto wasn’t going anywhere with him, now it can’t probably deal him before the March 4 trade deadline to acquire future pieces.
“(Kaberle) ran our power play and he moves the puck better than most defensemen in the league,” coach Ron Wilson said.
Kaberle has two more seasons remaining on a five-year, $21.2 million contract extension he signed before the 2006-07 season. That’s a pretty good contract in this day and age. The 10-year veteran has a no-trade clause, but there is a window in the clause that permits a trade between the NHL draft and Aug. 15, should the Leafs fail once again to make the playoffs – which is a near certainty.
Kaberle wants to remain in Toronto. But the Czech-born player, who was drafted by the Leafs in 1996, told reporters last month that he would be willing to move if the team asked him to.
GM Brian Burke said he won’t be dealing Kaberle.
“In my mind, if we traded him, we’d be looking all summer trying to find someone exactly like him who can move the puck and doesn’t make a whole lot under the cap,” said Burke. “For those reasons, he should be here.”
Burke also admitted it would be difficult to turn down a similar “home run-type deal” at the trade deadline.
“Kaberle’s skilled, he’s big and he’s a good player,” Burke said. “This is not a player we’re itching to move, unless somebody blows us away with an offer.”
Kaberle almost was dealt last year to the Flyers for winger Jeff Carter and a first-round draft choice, but Kaberle wouldn’t sign off. He has four goals and 26 assists this year.
The Leafs have actually won two games in a row heading into Tuesday’s game with the Panthers – bet on it at WagerWeb.com.
NHL Betting at WagerWeb.com
No comments:
Post a Comment