Kaberle on the Move

All signs are pointing to Tomas Kaberle becoming a Boston Bruin today.

This could change, either in a league trade call that has yet to take place between the Leafs and Bruins, or if the teams miscommunicate in the way they did back in June, 2009 when a deal involving Kaberle for Phil Kessel literally fell apart on the draft floor because Brian Burke and Peter Chiarelli believed they were talking about different deals.

Or, of course, the B's might feel better about their prospects after pounding the Islanders last night.

But right now, it's believed the Leafs would get Boston's first round pick this June  (not the second of two first rounders sent to the Bruins in the Kessel deal) and a prospect. Winger Blake Wheeler is apparently not in play, but the Leafs might be zeroing in on one of two good Boston prospects, Ontario junior Ryan Spooner or Providence centre Joe Colborne.

For Leaf fans, Colborne might be the prospect they'd be happiest with, given that he's 6-foot-5 and was Boston's first rounder back in 2008. Spooner has been a more prolific offensive player, particularly this year with Doug Gilmour's Kingston Frontenacs, but he's not as big as Colborne.

If this deal comes together, and again, all bets are off until Burke and Chiarelli actually agree on what they're trading, it's likely to happen early this afternoon. Back in '09, the two men believed they had agreed on a Kaberle-Kessel deal, but it fell apart at the very last second when Chiarelli believed he was getting the seventh pick overall, which the Leafs used to pick Nazem Kadri, as part of the package.

If the Leafs can make this deal work, they theoretically might be able to put together two first round picks - they got Philly's in the Kris Versteeg trade - and move up much higher in the June draft. Otherwise, they would have picked up defence prospect Jake Gardiner, two firsts and another good prospect from Boston in the past two weeks.

On the goalie front, Ben Scrivens is expected to start for the Marlies tonight, and then back up James Reimer when the Leafs play Ottawa tomorrow night.  

 

Comments

[gordon]

This trade or really any trade involving Kaberle getting out of town would be beneficial for this organization not because of his abilities but because of the distraction he has been on this team for the past 5 years. No fault of his own he has bled blue and white for 11 years and would probably retire a leaf if the media/fan base hasn't hung him annually regarding his NTC. He has accumulated 500+ points and regardless of his defensive liabilities he is still a plus player; He did playing more time then any other player on a none playoff team for the past 5 years. With all that said, I hope he is traded for whatever assets we can get in return because come July 1st their is no way he re-signs only to have to deal with the constant trade talk till his career ends. It's unfortunate that the media has really played it out this way. Loosing a guy that might have been the best defense-men this storied franchise has ever had. (The numbers don't lie)

In addition, everyone is talking about how bad this team is; yet it's right their in the hunt for a playoff birth. p.s. look at Matt Lashoff's stats with the Marlies...can anyone say puck moving defense-men.

[Dave]

I have a couple of questions to add to Bill Roach's: Who is going to not shoot on the power play. Who is going to not play physically on defence. I personally like Kaberle but if we can get a first round pick for a rental player who I think is replaceable then go for it. A prospect added is even better.

[jp]

just resign him and move on he is what we need not everyone has to be a fighter! who will move the puck oh yes we can sign one for five or six million to replace those points? we have one now he is dedicated to Toronto WANTS to stay worth every penny shall I go on??? do not move Kaberle resign him

[Krakondack]

Unless another Crosby or Stamkos is in play, having a top draft pick is not as valuable as having multiple first-rounders. It's a game of chance on draft day, picking the guy who develops into something great. Just look: Neither Tyler nor Taylor is a favorite for the Calder trophy this year. If Burke accumulates mid-late 1st round draft choices in high numbers, plus young prospects who are as yet unproven, then the small fraction of them that become stars will serve as the foundation for a winning team.

[Eric B.]

you can have Joe Colborne he is basically a taller version of Blake Wheeler, a big soft player that doesn't like to hit. In fact I hope the Leafs still get Blake Wheeler... He played with Kessel in college at Minnesota for one year.

[AnnoyedTorontonian]

Good for Kaberle. Maybe he'll finally get to experience what it's like to be on an NHL team that might actually win something.

I find it funny that Burke keeps getting rid of people, yet won't let go of his sweetheart Ron Wilson. Really?

I don't understand why Toronto continues to support this team. Stop going to the games. Stop buying the merch like a bunch of Tim Hortons guzzling sheep. Hit them in their bank accounts and they'll start to make real changes.

In the end, the people at the top really don't care as long as they continue to make boatloads of money off you.

[Dennis Regan]

Hope it's true! I,ve always liked Kaberle's offensive style with great passing and play making. Had little chance here in Toronto, but in Boston, he'll be able to open up and do what he can do. He can be a big part of Boston getting the cup.

[steve]

who takes Kabby's minutes on the Leaf blue line if he is moved. hopefully not Brett Lebda

[Mrbill]

So Burke has changed the plan and is going to build through the draft. Except that now, we have two late round picks instead of the two lottery picks that he traded away.

[othermark]

Reading through these comments during my lunch hour is a bad idea. It makes me sick. All the armchair GMs saying what a terrible job Burke is doing. If he moves Kaberle, he can't replace his minutes. The team is doomed. If he doesn't move Kaberle, he's a dope because Kaberle is soft. Then theres the crowd that just can give on the Kessel trade. They believe he's only doing this trade to save face. C'mon people. Give it a rest. Burke's doing a great job building depth of young players at the NHL & AHL levels and aquiring picks. In the meantime, the team that's been totally gutted and rebuilt in 2 years in sniffing at the playoffs. The Leafs, unlike many other teams also have cap space, which they can use to aquire a decent player at a slightly inflated salary...provided they come with a prospect or pick (see Lupul deal as an example). Quit blaming Burke for the 40+ years of incompentence (exception of 92/93 and some early 2000 teams). The guy inherited a total mess and has had to take come calculated gambles to get some returns. Most of those gambles have paid off with immediate returns and the potential for more down the road. So please, before you post trash, think a little.

[CWG]

For those who think Kaberle is a premier defenceman, give your heads a shake. Nobody would trade for him before the season started and there is a reason for that. He is soft (averages a hit once every 45.6 minutes of ice time), is poor defensively, has only scored three goals this year (not exactly offensively 'gifted' if he can't score), and he never shoots the puck. Boston might want him but that speaks more to their desperation to take a run now and being willing to take anything that *might* help rather than to Kaberle being a premier player. If Boston pays a premium for him then Burke will have robbed them and made up for the Kessel deal.

[Josh]

If Burke had simply accepted Boston's offer last year of Kessel for Kaberle + our 2010 1st round pick, he would have gotten far more than he's getting now. What a joke.

[Nick]

Not bad, but I'm guessing that Burke will either want to move up in the draft or ship off one of those 1st rounders to a team that will give him a young, talented asset in return.

[matlewy]

I really hope the Leafs get another former US College player....

[Tony]

Dumb, dumb, dumb. In a year from now, Burke will be trying to find a puck-moving defenceman.

[zach]

Great trade for the b's. We'll take the nhl's second leading assists man on the powerplay any day. Hope that first rounder words out for you guys.

Ps: montreal sucks!

[Ostrich Lover]

This is essentiall the same as the Phil Kessel trade : 2 first rounders for a player. The picks are not as high, but still good. And when you consider how much better Kessle is than Kaberle, not too shabby I say.

Coulburne, Gardiner, Philly's 1st and Boston's 1st = 4 first rounders in the last week.

BTW: Kessel, Phaneuf, Kadri and Schenn are all 1st rounders who are young.

And: Sjostrum, Lupul, Armstrong, Gigere, are all older 1st's too

[Jamie Beatty]

I've been a kaberle fan since day one! But this league is a business, we would be a contender right now, if when things started to go south after our great playoff runs we started moving our aging assets for viable picks and prospects. I'm not a Boston fan, border line hate them actually, but I'll be cheering for Kaberle this spring!!

[CWG]

According to reports from TSN the deal is done - Kaberle to Boston for Colborne, Boston's first rounder, and a conditional pick. All that remains is the official trade call with the league. If this turns out to be true, this is a great deal for Toronto.

[Steve Scott]

Interesting Move on BB behalf....he's just dropped another 4.5 Million in Salary and didn't have to take any back......Picked a ok Prospect, and a 1st round Draft pick.....so all you guys you are yellling you need draft picks to build this team...Toronto has 2 First round...I wonder if there is something else on the horizon.....cause they have over 7 Million is salary dumps...and no new salary taken on...

[Leaf Fan In San Diego]

Trade is done. Kaberle for #1, Joe Colborne and another pick if Bruins resign him.

[Angelo]

I hate what Burke is doing. Picking up marginal prospects and low first round picks in a weak draft.

[oilandgas]

NHL.com says Wheeler has been dealt for Peverly, so now Wheeler plus a draft pick, and the Web site quotes Burke saying the repot of a Kaberle move are "completely false".

[PMSteve]

Kaberle has always been overrated in Toronto and his market value falls every day. I would be pleasantly surprised if the Leafs get what Cox thinks they will. Truth is, Kaberle has his limitations, and while Burke says the politically correct things about his good attitude and work ethic and nods to the skills he possesses - good passer and puck carrier - he is not "truculent" enough for the Leafs' GM. Burke has always wanted to trade him, but has never found a partner who valued Kaberle as much as some Toronto fans.

[sundinimar]

We now have acquired 2 1st rounders and a 3rd rounder. Could this be parlayed into Brad Richards in a trade with Dallas? That would get us the first-line centre we desperately need.