Is It Really This Bad?

@ Dylbot

Most of what you say makes sense (glad to hear Yek is not the source), except for the fact of freeing up space to resign Semin and Backstrom. Both are RFA’s next year as you know and losing the $4.875 mil cap hit from Nylander and taking on the $4.25 hit from Kaberle gains them all of $625,000. Sorry, but that won’t go far toward signing those two studs. The fact is, Washington will probably have to lose one of them to an offer sheet or via trade. Looking at their cap numbers and roster moving forward, they seem to be more in need of some stay at home D rather than a Kaberle type (both Green and Poti can move the puck). Let’s try the same deal with Beauchemin and or White (better cap hit), see if they bite….LOL

@ Dylbot

I was just thinking we don’t have a stay at home defenceman that isn’t grossly overpaid to offer them, when Schenn came to mind. But with bonuses, his cap hit ($2.9) won’t provide enough relief either, although it is the best we have to offer after Kaberle. BB has doled out so much in bonuses (the most in the league by far) that he had tied his own hands regarding cap space… Harvard trained, but failed math.

@ Schenn

I don’t believe Crybaby Heatley’s no trade clause has become null and void, but could be wrong. It should have the moment he asked for a trade, but these spoiled brat multimillionaires want it both ways!

@Dylbot

So now we’re to believe that Washington might give up two firsts and a second for Kaberle (who in one scenario they have no intention of keeping) and virtually meaningless salary dump of .650 mil.
I liked your first approach (which you have returned to in response to Puppets) that they covet Kaberle, it makes a little more sense, but not much. You see, every day needs a mix of puckmovers and stay at home defensemen, unless we can get rid of all the coaches and teams that love to play boring, trap hockey just to win 2-1. It ain’t gonna happen anytime soon.

Thus Washington needs some solid stay at home guys (their defence is their current achilles heal), not more offense, they have an abundance of that, as the Leafs can testify to. So, even though I agree Kaberle would be a good fit with all their talent, I can’t see them giving up the farm for him when they have more pressing needs.

Irregardless, I hope they make the offer and that Kaberle waives his no-trade in the hopes of having a shot at the Cup, because we are in bad need of some draft picks, and with or without Kaberle, this team will be crappy this year (@ Schenn), what’s a little more or a little less.

@ Amar

That does make it easier to swallow, no doubt. Where is the link?