With the Kaberle conundrum coming to a close last week, most fans and media alike were scrambling to make sense of what had just transpired.
“Really? Is it possible? Am I actually reading this? Kaberle WASN’T traded?”
It’s pretty easy to see/hear/read why people were so blown away by the whole thing. We had been hearing about Kaberle’s potential trade for almost two years prior to his “deadline.” When Burke decided to let the window close and in turn decided to keep Kaberle in a blue and white sweater, well.. people freaked.
A lot of folks I talked to seemed to think it was the end of the world, or at least the end of the Leafs. Most seen the non-trade as Burke failing to flip Kaberle for scoring help. While I admit the Leafs still desperately need scoring up front, an old cliche still rings true: some of the best deals are the ones you don’t make.
The cut and dry version is, if Kaberle wasn’t dealt, it’s because there wasn’t really anything offered that can help the Leafs right now. Would fans actually rather see Ryan Malone (who turns 31 in December and has a cap hit of 4.5 million until 2016) replace Tomas Kaberle? If you’re part of that group.. well, you’re insane.
Malone tallies less points as a forward than Kaberle does on the back end. Not to mention the Leafs would have to put up with the Tampa Bay powerplay all season, which would float around 99% with Kaberle on the Bolts.
A futures package is non-sense at this point. If Burke turned down draft picks at this years draft, it makes little to no sense to get draft picks for next summer. Brian Burke has said time and time again that the Leafs want to be good now. He has committed to that notion and he shouldn’t stray from it at this point.
What the Leafs are now faced with is a lot more complicated than the whole Kaberle situation: what to do with everyone else. But Kaberle still remains in the news. Why? Because his Dad hates Ron Wilson. I’m not sure if Tomas feels the same way, but that’s the word on the street from his old man.
This is somewhat old news. But cut me a little slack, I’ve been studying for two weeks. Now that I can finally weigh in, I will.
The negative attention that Frantisek Kaberle Sr brought to his own son Tomas, Ron Wilson, and above all, the Leafs, is a little uncalled for. I mean, yeah, the guy is sticking up for his son. But this isn’t minor hockey.
If Tomas has a problem with Wilson he should flat out say it himself. And at the same time, he should voice whether he is indeed open to a trade at this point or not.
I’m a fan of keeping Kaberle, personally. But if he wants out, then get the hell out. Otherwise, this Wilson bashing and “he said, she said” type of crap is really only hurting the team. Kaberle needs to set the record straight, himself.
Once all that is straightened away, the Buds really need to look at what’s next. My mind almost exploded when I heard Brian Burke mention that the Leafs need to be ten defencemen deep. Sure it’s great to have some depth throughout the entire organization, especially with potential injury woes. But tying up half your cap in six or seven guys on the back end isn’t exactly the way to do it.
The thoughts of the Leafs trading one of Luke Schenn, Mike Komisarek, or Francois Beauchemin all seem far-fetched at this point. And I can’t disagree. For one reason or another, it seems like downright lunacy for either of them to be dealt. However, as the days go by, one of these unlikely names could at least see a little light on the trade market.
Maybe I’m just panicking. But this team is still terribly unbalanced, both in skill and where the money is being spent. The back end is packed with expensive high profile defencemen and the forward corps is Phil Kessel. Time to get crackin’, Burke.
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Original Story:
http://maplestirup.com/2010/08/kaberl...
