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Tomas, where art thou?

by on December 5, 2008 in Uncategorized - 18 Comments

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Wilson had some choice words for the media after last night’s brutal loss that made Phoenix, one of the league’s lowest scoring teams, look like an offensive juggernaut out there. Talking about why he benched his all-star defenseman for the entire 1st period, Ron had this to say about Tomas Kaberle:

“Yeah, I sent [Kaberle] a message, and he sent me a message back by being minus-4″.

It’s safe to say that this might be one of the lower points in Tomas’ NHL career. Last trade deadline, he was nearly pawned off to Philadelphia in the infamous “Carter and a 1st rounder” swap, but instead invoked his NTC to stay. Boy, how good would the league’s leading goal scorer look as Toronto’s #1 centre right now?

This season, Kaberle’s continuing trend of sub par play is starting to become very worrisome. He’s Toronto’s most desirable trading chip heading into this year’s deadline, and it seems like he’s already packed his bags and has mentally checked out. He’s been god awful over the past few games, and instead of taking Wilson’s benching as a message to light a fire under his behind, he goes out and nonchalantly plays a -3 game compunded by some serious gaffes.

The statistical trend isn’t pretty:

The offensive defenseman has not recorded a point over his last 6 games played, and has been a -6 player over that span. It should be no surpise then that his ice-time has been consistently decreasing from 25+ minutes a night, to a couple games where he played 20-21 minutes, to under 20 minutes for the 1st time this season in San Jose, and finally topped off with a 14 minute game last night. This might even be a bit of carry-over from late last season when Tomas scored just 4 points and was a -3 over his last 10 games played.

Here’s an interesting fact: The last time Toronto played the Coyotes was last year around this time, on November 24th out West in Phoenix. The Leafs got pummeled 5-1 and Kaberle was a -4 that night.

Now here’s a scary fact: If you were to guess at the beginning of the season, who would have the worst +/- rating on the team, you probably wouldn’t have guessed Tomas Kaberle. That -10 is not looking pretty.

On the other hand, the one player who seems to have stepped up his game in that time is Jeff Finger. Over his last 8 games, Wilson has been giving some of Kaberle’s ice-time to Jeff, who has averaged nearly 24 minutes a night during that stretch. Finger ranks 2nd among Leaf defensemen in ice-time, 2nd in hits/game, 1st in blocked shots/game, 1st in takeaways/game, and 1st in shorthanded ice-time. Might not be much of a stretch to say that he’s been Toronto’s best defenseman this season.

This might be a subtle “changing of the guard” as Toronto’s top pairing from last season, Kubina and Kaberle, are slowly being eased out of the picture due to their declining play. Kaberle still leads the team in ice-time, but Finger is quickly catching up, and Kubina’s already down at #4 behing rookie Luke Schenn. Let’s hope Kaberle picks up his play soon, because at the current rate he’s going, he’s on pace to have his worst point total in in 5 years, and the worst +/- rating of his NHL career.

Always a pleasure,

Alex Tran

[email protected]

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  • Jeff Gulley

    Too true Alex. This is something I’ve felt all year. Kaberle was a guy they were looking to to step up and provide some leadership and guidance, and he’s been on coast all year long.

    I see now why Wilson was loathe to give him the “C”, which he probably imagined was coming his way.

    I wish Kaberle the best…he’s a classy guy. But I think it’s time the Leafs and him parted ways, sooner rather than later (give Stralman extra time). I only hope the Leafs can still garner some good action coming their way in return. I doubt you’ll see any more “Carter and a 1st rounder” offers at this point, but there might be good return if you package Kaberle and another player, say Stajan or Poni.

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  • Tyler

    Look at McCabe’s numbers this season and maybe H. Berger was right in saying that McCabe made Kaberle better and not vice versa.

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  • wregget

    It is probably better to trade Kaberle sooner, rather than later – while he is still a good defenceman, his reputation may bring us more value in a trade than his play of late.

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  • Jacques Strap

    I’ve always liked Kaberle, but it’s obvious that he is not mentally focused this season. His heart just doesn’t seem to be in it. That said, I don’t think his trade value is as affected as people worry it is. He’s just as skilled as he’s always been and has been injury free this season, so that’s not the reason for his uncharacteristic play.

    He needs a change of scenery, just as bad as we need the return in trade that we can get for him. I agree that we should trade him sooner rather than later, but that all depends on the return being offered at this time of the year.

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  • Burn

    Good post Alex!!

    It’s becoming a recurring theme for us in the GDT to continually be saying things like “Kaberle, WTF”, or “Kaberle missed his man again and they scored”.The last 4 goals that Phoenix scored I think can be directly linked back to Kaberle. The +/- stat is one of those stats that can be misleading. Hockey is a team sport and everyone gets a – when they are on the ice for a goal against. But last night, regardless of the +/- statistics, Kaberle was brutal. He lead directly to the last 4 goals against. The other guys on the ice got a – too, but it was all Kaberle!! I’m getting tired of it. THe sooner he’s moved the better. As much as he brings offensively (not much recently, as you pointed out) he lacks that much more defensively.

    I just hate seeing guys that look like they have given up, which is what Kaberle looks like right now.

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  • Garrett Bauman

    Right on, Alex.

    I don’t believe that Kaberle is a terrible player, so much as he is a terrible player for this team. He hasn’t looked as though he’s had his head on straight all season, and I suspect much of that has to do with his difficulty adjusting to Ron Wilson’s schemes, and style of play.

    Similar to Steen, he just doesn’t fit into the makeup, or style of play, of this particular unit. Sometimes, as Jacques Strap pointed out, players just need a fresh start … and I would add to that, a different system that is more suited to their play. Wilson has implemented an aggressive, puck-pursuit, backcheck-focussed system, and Kaberle simply isn’t a physical enough – or rather, an aggressive enough – player in his own zone to succeed in such a system. It’s just not a style of play that suits him, and we’ve been seeing that all season.

    I agree that he can still bring a significant return via trade. I don’t know how much this season’s performance would hinder a trade return, I suppose it depends on how desperate the interested team is to acquire a puck-rushing defenceman. Rival GMs know exactly what his skill set is, and what he can bring to their blueline – they’ve been watching him for the better part of the past decade. If they feel he will fit their system and upgrade their team, a deal bringing a significant return back to Toronto can still be made.

    I’m not suggesting the Carter deal again, but a 1st rounder and a top prospect is not yet out of the question, given Kaberle’s past performance, his age, and his contract.

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  • Blair

    Kaberle’s performance doesn’t surprise me at all. Has he ever been a great defensive defenceman? Or a great character guy? No. He simply goes out there and plays with all the skill he has. That’s a good start, but to be true leadership material, to be a necessary part of the franchise, to be the go to guy you need more than just skill. How this guy ever achieved the celebrity status he has is beyond me, and maybe only in Toronto would that happen, but I would be glad to replace him on the blueline. He’s good at stick handling and can usually make a good pass, but he doesn’t shoot enough (even though he’s lights-out in terms of accuracy) and he’s not hard enough along the boards in his own end to be a #1 or #2 D-man on a team. I’m not going to say one bad performance earns him a ride out of town (Finger had one a week or so ago and he still gets everyone’s praise), but the Phoenix game was not an illusion, it is simply how it is with Kaberle. Trade him first thing in the new year and wait until the draft to try and replace him with someone of similar offensive talent but with more grit. If you’re going to play defense with that many minutes a game against the other team’s top players, Toronto would be better off if those top players thought twice before entering the Leafs’ zone because of who was back there – Kaberle just doesn’t have that effect.

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  • Mark Ribble

    Great post Alex. I wrote a blog last week, but didn’t post it, about Kaberle’s lack of enthusiasm and the fact that he is our lone all-star nomination, while he probably sits 5th or 6th in the depth chart on this team alone.
    I didn’t post the blog because I had second thoughts about bashing a guy who I’ve always had the utmost respect for. But that is fading fast and with performances of late, he is not deserving of top four minutes on this team anymore.

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  • http://admin Alex Tran

    Garrett you bring up a great point.

    Maybe Kaberle doesn’t fit into the mold of what Burke and Wilson look for in a top pairing defenseman. Let’s think about this for a second:

    In Anaheim, Burke built his defense around Beauchemin, Niedermayer, and Pronger. All of good to great offensive ability, but none of the 3 are the defensive liabilities like Kaberle. His back end guys were bruisers like Huskins and Montador.

    In San Jose, Wilson’s top defensemen were Vlasic, Erhoff, and Rivet, all of whom are solid in their own end. His back end guys were also bruisers like Mclaren and Murray. Recognizing the need for more offensive ability, the Sharks went out and targeted Pavel Kubina of all people as their top trade deadline priority, before settling on Campbell when Kubina refused to waive. Once again, a defenseman that can play two-way hockey.

    Finger, Kubina, Schenn, Frogren, Van Ryn, all fit the mold of being either two-way players or rugged defensive guys.

    Kaberle? Maybe not.

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  • http://admin Alex Tran

    If Burke goes out and clears the deck by dealing away Kaberle and/or Kubina, there’s going to be a glaring void up front to eat up minutes.

    I could see Burke taking a serious run at Beauchemin and/or Bouwmeester this offseason (if he hits the market) to eat up those minutes on the top pairing. Both are very talented defensemen who eat up 25+ minutes regularly, and are solid two-way players. And the bonus? Both are under 30 years of age.

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  • Garrett Bauman

    I imagine Burke would try to move Kaberle before Kubina. Part of it is Wilson’s preference of keeping Kubina around, and part of it is the ability to get a greater return for Kaberle. Yeah, his defense has never been a strong suit, but his skill set (puck rushing, QB the PP) happens to be one which is in demand. You won’t find many defensemen with his offensive skills available at the deadline this year (or sooner), and even fewer with a more affordable contract.

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  • goldenleafs

    It’s amazing when you look at all the defencemen this team had… a great goaltender that would be #1 from the get go…. add to that, a new coach that is dedicated to a defensive style of play. Defence was not suppose to be an issue at all. Everyone was predicting 2-1 games etc..

    How the heck are we the worst defensive team in the league? hah

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  • betterforsome

    @Goldenleafs it’s a mystery alright. It seems like every year Toronto’s defence underperforms while their offence exceeds expectations. Some franchises just seem to have tendencies like that no matter who the players or the coach is.

    As for Kaberle I expect we’ll trade him and get a nice package, but if he goes to a skill team I’ll be watching for something special to emerge. Not that it’ll happen, but can you imagine Kaberle in a Red Wings jersey? Look out.

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  • theshawn

    the leafs might just have the gem of the trade deadline in kaberle. i don’t see any scenario where he stays with the leafs beyond march 4th. better things are on the way!

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  • Scot Loucks

    There is a rumour out there that Kaberle is going to Ottawa…..

    I don’t buy it. I don’t see him going anywhere within the division.

    To me…. the logical spot for Kaberle is Pittsburgh. For Staal. Should the trade happen soon… the Pens could then turn around and trade Kaberle/Whitney/Gonchar (one of the above) at the trade deadline to both recoup on their previous asset and add a piece to their puzzle.

    But I am a leaf fan…. so I am probably just dreaming :)

    Cheers

    Anybody else?

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  • Garrett Bauman

    The only issue with Kaberle going to Pittsburgh (and I agree, Kaberle-Staal would be a GREAT deal for both teams), is the cap. Pittsburgh would have to find a way to move salary, either in the proposed deal with Toronto, or in a separate deal, in order to accomodate Kaberle’s salary.

    Their cap number is listed at 55.9 … very, very close to the limit. Unless of course someone (Gonchar?) goes on long-term injury reserve, making a deal for anyone will be difficult. I see on HB that Ek has Kovalchuk rumored to go to Pitt (among a number of other teams). Again, same problem. Whose salary do they move, to fit another contract in?

    For the Toronto deal, at a bare minimum one of Eaton (2mil), Boucher (2.5mil) or Gill (yes, that Hal Gal … 2mil), would have to come back with Staal (2.2 mil I believe), in order for the numbers to work. Which means the Leafs may have to offer up a prospect or a pick along with Kaberle, in order for Pittsburgh to consider it.

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  • Garrett Bauman

    Whoops … “Hal Gal” … too much coffee this morning, methinks.

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  • d heidman

    Two great decisions in two games. Why would Wilson sit Kaberle in the 1st period. What? did he have a bad pre game skate. And, playing an 18-year old defenceman against Ovechkin will only produce and Richardson or countless other Leafs who have ben used up too soon.

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