JoelJoel writes "Everyone is talking about what Burke will do next. A lot of this discussion is surrounding Tomas Kaberle, and his future with the Leafs. But is Burke even considering trading him? Should he be? Maybe the best thing to do is retain the Leaf's best defenceman.
Kaberle is a premier d-man in the league; he is currently the best player on the team, and he has one of the most manageable contracts for anyone of his caliber. It would be stupid to trade Kabby.
He's signing through next year. Why not see how he plays with a new, changing team? Chances are he'll continue to play well and make them better. Even amid a terrible Toronto 09-10 lineup, he manages to pile up assists and play well every night.
Everyone is saying that Burke is trying to build his team on cornerstones such as: Kessel, Schenn, Phaneuf, Gustavsson. Why don't people include Tomas in that list? He's only 31 and has been the most consistently good leaf for many years. He has yet to show signs of slowing down with age. It seems to me that he is the idea type of player for new, young team. He is extremely talented and could easily have 5-6+ good years in him.
Kaberle has accepted a very reasonable contract in the past and seems to genuinely want to stay in Toronto. Why would he get greedy and ask for 6 mill with the threat of being lost to free agency next year? If he wanted out, ever, he would be gone fast. It would be difficult to find a team that wouldn't want Kaberle.
I think Burke knows this and will do all he can to keep number 15.
If I were the leafs GM, it would take a hell of a lot to entice me to part with my best, most loyal player. Furthermore, how much would we have to pay, in picks and players, to get a sold power play QB like Kaberle during a possible playoff run in a few season?
All these rumors of a list of teams submitted to Burke, and trading Kabby away during the window available in the offseason, it all doesn't sound much like Burke, to me. Only time will tell, but I think we still have many Kaberle highlights, as a Leaf, to see.
P.S.: Many leafs may hate McCabe, but how deadly was it having 15 passing to 24 for a PP goal every other game? Phaneuf has a pretty nasty shot too... "
PLAYER NEWS
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/09/08: Tomas Kaberle has denied that a rift exists between himself and head coach Ron Wilson. "It's very clear to me, and (Wilson) ... There's no issue," Kaberle said. "My dad, I love my dad and he watches a lot of games and he can say what he wants. It's his opinion but I don't agree with it." A report out of the Czech Republic had Frantisek Kaberle Sr. saying that his son and Wilson cannot co-exist in Toronto due to differing styles, but nobody on the Leafs appears to buying that assumption. Kaberle also added that he will not be asking GM Brian Burke for a trade. (Source: Toronto Star)
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, G
2010/09/08: The number one job in Toronto is Jean-Sebastien Giguere's to lose heading into 2010-11. "I think the No. 1 goalie is Giggy, but he has to perform," coach Ron Wilson said. "Whoever plays best is going to play, but I envision it being Jiggy right now." That would make Jonas Gustavsson the backup going into the season, but he should still see his fair share of starts as the two of them rotated games when Giguere arrived from Anaheim in 2009-10. Giguere posted a .916 save percentage and a 2.49 GAA in 15 games with the Maple Leafs last year. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/09/08: Toronto bench boss Ron Wilson will sit down with Tomas Kaberle soon to iron out any possible ripples in their relationship before the season starts. "My relationship is not going to change," Wilson said. "We're going to try to figure out what's been said. We will sit down either at the end of the week or early next week and have a heart-to-heart talk and see what the issues are if there are any." Kaberle's father said last month that his son and coach Wilson are on rocky terms, but as usual the defenseman has remained silent on the issue. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Fredrik Sjostrom, LW/RW
2010/09/02: Fredrik Sjostrom might be available at the start of training camp after undergoing a shoulder operation this off-season. He is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, but Toronto GM Brian Burke said the team would not rush him back before he is ready. We'll keep you posted on his status, but he has no fantasy value. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Christian Hanson, RW/C
2010/08/31: The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with restricted free agent Christian Hanson. Hanson scored two goals and registered five assists in 31 games last season. He should battle for a spot on Toronto's opening day roster. (Source: Sportsnet.ca)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/30: Leafs GM Brian Burke expects Clarke MacArthur to spend a significant amount of time on one of Toronto's top two lines. MacArthur inked a one-year/$1.1 million deal with the Maple Leafs after Atlanta walked away from an arbitrator awarded one-year/$2.4 million deal. He scored 16 goals and 35 points in 81 games last season, but he still has some offensive upside. If he spends the majority of the season serving as a top-six forward, we think he can score 20-25 goals and 40-50 points. (Source: Toronto Star)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/28: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Clarke MacArthur to a one-year deal. The contract is worth $1.1 million. Last season MacArthur scored 16 goals and 19 assists in 81 games (split between Buffalo and Atlanta). He will contend for a top-six forward spot withe Maple Leafs. He will be valuable in fantasy pools if he can secure a spot on the Leafs' power play. (Source: TSN.ca)
Matt Lashoff, D
2010/08/27: Matt Lashoff will join a crowded blueline in Toronto this season after being dealt to the Maple Leafs on Friday for minor-leaguers Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati. He played the majority of last season with the Tampa's AHL affiliate in Norfolk, where he posted eight goals, 24 points and 105 penalty minutes in 68 games. Lashoff will likely begin the 2010-11 campaign in the minors with the Toronto Marlies. (Source: TSN.ca)
Jonas Gustavsson, G
2010/08/21: Goalie Jonas Gustavsson is doing whatever he can to avoid the dreaded "sophomore jinx". "The second season can be dangerous because not everything is new and exciting in the same way it was (when you are a rookie)," Gustavsson said. "You sometimes have to fight a bit more to find that same energy." The Monster should be more relaxed this year, understanding exactly how North American hockey works. He could be a sleeper pick in fantasy if he can re-gain his Pre-NHL, European form. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/20: The father of Maple Leafs' defenseman Tomas Kaberle believes his son will be traded during the 2010-11 season. "I think that during the course of the year he will be traded to another club," said Frantisek Kaberle Sr. "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 ... I cannot imagine how he will get along with coach Wilson, who relies primarily on aggression and stress. That's not Tomas, he's a technical type of defender." If Kaberle does end up being moved then he will have to go to Toronto GM Brian Burke himself with a list of teams because Burke has been steadfast in his claim that he will not ask the offensive rearguard to waive his no-trade clause. Look for stories like this to arise frequently throughout the year. (Source: Calgary Sun)
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Tuesday, February 02 (User Info | Send a Message)
Well..........
Its really a tough call. On one hand, Kaberle is probably the most y irreplaceable player on the team. There are no other Kaberle's out there. Not any that could be realistically obtained.
On the other hand, if the return for Kaberle was substancial enough, is the need for Kaberle enough to outweigh the need for a guy like Bobby Ryan?
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by leafy on Tuesday, February 02 (User Info | Send a Message)
Everybody likes Kaberle and for good reason.
But the Leafs have WAY too much salary tied to defence.
For a team that's starving for good forwards, something has to give.
At this point it's all up to Kabbie. Will he knock on Burke's door with a list of teams he would be willing to go to, or stay with the Leafs and hope to win a cup here? There was talk of Kaberle wanting to control his destiny, but if he genuinely wants to remain a Leaf then he should be kept. A Phaneuf/Kaberle defensive pair would be the elite pair in the league and I'm not certain it should be broken up.
After watching the game tonight I felt for the first time since 92/93 that the Leafs actually could be contenders. There's still plenty of cap room so perhaps that elusive center to pair with Kessel could be obtained in the off season.
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by cam7777 on Tuesday, February 02 (User Info | Send a Message)
Well, the big question to me is, if push comes to shove, will Burke consider moving Francois Beauchemin? He won't move Komisarek, because his contract is longer, bigger, harder to move, and comes attached with a limited NTC. Beauchemin however, would be extremely marketable. He was an afterthought in Burke's FA plans afterall, signed only after Cammalleri, the Sedins, and Komisarek were off the table.
Still, Beauchemin has finally settled down in Toronto, and seems extatic to have J.S. Giguere back between the pipes for him. Having a leader like Phaneuf only elevates his game further, and hopefully brings out his nasty side a little more often. Burke is extremely loyal, and his contracts are very important to him. Still, he traded Schneider after a short stint when needs arose elsewhere, and didn't hesitate to buyout Todd Berutzzi.
If the answer to moving Beauchemin is yes, than Kaberle will stay, the Leafs will still have extremely formidable defense group consisting of Tomas Kaberle, Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek, Luke Schenn, and Carl Gunnarsson. But the other question that we forget to ask, is what happens if Burke just legitimately wants to keep the whole group together as it is right now?
Well, he could do it. With the 23 million committed to defense, and a tad under 9 million spent on goalies and buyouts, he would have a shade over 25 million to spend on forwards, plus about 2.8 million in the bonus cushion, if he so desires. With a forward group like this:
Phil Kessel - 5.4 Nazem Kadri - 1.675 Tyler Bozak - 3.725 Fredrik Sjostrom - 0.75 Nikolai Kulemin - 2.25 Christian Hanson - 0.975 Colton Orr - 1.0 Jay Rosehill - 0.512 Viktor Stalberg - 0.85
(I'm assuming Grabovski will be traded)
That would leave about 8 million dollars, plus the bonus cushion, to fill in 4 forward spots. With that money, Burke could probably focus on finding 4 solid players, and creating 4 solid lines, without stars, and leave the adding of star forwards for a later date. With that money, he could probably add 3 nice pieces like Kariya, Armstrong and Ponikarovsky. Or Byfuglien, Lombardi and Ott. If he's truly building from the net out, like he says, than perhaps keeping the defense intact, and solidifying an energy line, and a checking line, takes priority over landing a Bobby Ryan or similar calibre scorer.
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by broc on Wednesday, February 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
If you keep Kaberle, there is very minimal $$ to be spent upgrading the forwards.
Kaberle's time has come and gone. There is no point in keeping him now that Phaneuf is there.
He should be traded for young scoring forward(s) and whatever else you can get for him.
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by blaze on Wednesday, February 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
Move him only if a massive return is offered up. I wouldn't even want a first rounder for Kabba, only a potential elite player would be worth it. Bobby Ryan would do the trick if he's made available.
Even good first rounders or prospects are big question marks. I'd rather move Komisarek, Beauchemin or maybe even Schenn ahead of Kaberle. There really isn't any other replacements out there and Phaneuf is far from enough puck moving ability in my mind.
I wouldn't be suprised to see Burke convince Kaberle to agree an extension or maybe the ultimate team loyalty, a pay cut to retire as a Leaf.
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by the_word on Wednesday, February 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
Depends on the return. If we can get the piece we need up front for Kaberle then trade. I think we're going to be hard pressed to do so given Kaberle's age and the fact we haven't been able to get that type of player for him as of yet (i.e. Kessel's trade value proven > Kaberle's last off sesaon). With Schenn we'd not only be able to land a good young forward but we'd have options.
The worst move would be Kaberle for a 1st (unless it would be a top fiveish pick but that won't happen) and a nothing prospect. We regress significantly with a move like that.
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by lukeleim on Friday, February 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
NHL Trade Deadline
Trade Tomas Kaberle and John Mitchell to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jordan Staal and Eric Tangradi.
Trade Alexei Ponikarovsky to the Nashville Predators for the Predators' 2nd round draft pick of 2010.
Trade Garnet Exelby to the Los Angeles Kings for the Kings' 4th round draft pick.
Trade Mikhail Grabovski to the Atlanta Thrashers for Colby Armstrong and the Thrashers' 3rd round draft pick of 2010. Offseason
Send Jeff Finger to the Toronto Marlies
Sign Paul Kariya one-year contract 3.5 million. Sign Jordan Leopold one-year contract 1.5 million. Sign Adam Burish three-year contract 3 million. Sign Steve Ott four-year contract 10 million. Resign Nikolai Kulemin four-year contract 10 million. Resign Jonas Gustavsson three-year contract 6 million. Resign Christian Hanson one-year contract 1 million.
Viktor Stalberg - Jordan Staal - Phil Kessel Paul Kariya - Tyler Bozak - Nikolai Kulemin Steve Ott - Christian Hanson - Fredrik Sjostrom Jay Rosehill - Adam Burish - Colton Orr
Dion Phaneuf - Francois Beauchemin Carl Gunnarsson - Mike Komisarek Luke Schenn - Jordan Leopold
Re: Kaberle: A Case To Stay (Score: 1) by leafy on Saturday, February 06 (User Info | Send a Message)
Ah, I'll bet you all like Schenn. Now only does he make nice little moves with the puck when pressured, he also pots 2 goals on identical shots like Joe Nieuwendyk.
What can I say, Giguere is the man. That trade was a steal by Burke, just as much as the Phaneuf trade.
Really like Gunnarson, Bozak, Hanson, and Kulemin. I'm starting to be a believer in these kids.
Phil Kessel is a replica of Alex Mogilny. He might go 6 or 7 games without scoring. Don't worry about it! He'll then come back and get 10 in 5 games. That second goal tonight was shades of Wendel Clark.
