Kaberle’s dad predicts a trade

Feels son's strained relationship with coach Wilson will be catalyst

Tomas Kaberle’s weird relationship with the Toronto Maple Leafs may be about to take another severe turn.

This time, it may be Kaberle, himself, who quietly asks for a trade.

Kaberle’s father, Frantisek, told Czech hockey magazine Hokej this week that he’s surprised his son remains a Leaf — especially considering his strained relationship with Toronto coach Ron Wilson.

“I cannot imagine how he will get along with coach Wilson, who relies primarily on aggression and stress,” Frantisek Kaberle Sr., a former member of the Czech national team, himself, told the magazine.

“That’s not Thomas, he’s a technical type of defender.”

While the no-trade clause on Kaberle’s contract with the Leafs is in force again — the Leafs having failed to deal him before the Aug. 15 deadline — the elder Kaberle figures it’s only a matter of time before there’s a split.

“I think that during the course of the year he will be traded to another club,” Karberle Sr., said. “There is only one chance for Toronto to get something back in return for Tomas now. In my opinion, I can’t see Tomas entering a new contract with the Toronto. Not if Ron Wilson continues to be employed there.”

While Tomas Kaberle is the quiet type, his father obviously isn’t — weighing in on other Leafs issues, including a potential deal for Bruins centre Marc Savard.

“The problem is his health,” Kaberle Sr., told Hokej. “He suffered a concussion last season and there is the possibility of a similar blow to his head and it could even end his hockey career. In this regard, such a trade for Toronto would have been very risky.

Kaberle Sr., who also coached elite teams in the Czech Republic, has spent considerable time around the Air Canada Centre since his son joined the Leafs in 1998. And it sounds like he empathizes with Leafs president Brian Burke, whose club finished 29th in the 30-team NHL last season.

“I have been following Toronto for a long time,” he said. “I didn’t believe it much in the beginning, but it seems that the best players don’t want to go to this club.

“The reason is because of the huge pressure from the fans, and especially the media. Not every hockey player is able to deal with it.”

Meanwhile, he expects his son will grin-and-bear it in Toronto until such time he’s traded.

“I think that Tomas won’t even comment on (trade possibilities) anymore,” Kaberle Sr., said. “He is content in Toronto with both the club and the city.

“I still think though that some change would be welcomed.”

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/08/19/15081386.html