Luca Caputi – Tuesday Prospect Report

B Leaf wrote:

Charlie wrote:
Just reading some Elliott Friedman stuff.
He said Burke told Inside Hockey that Kaberle is more likely to be re-signed then to be traded.
I call bullshit.
That is WAY too much dough on the back end.
I have never agreed with you more. Trade him!!!!

What kind of went under the radar in Burke’s press conference where he said he would consider resigning Kaberle at the appropriate time, is that he also mentioned for the first time, that he might be willing to trade other defensemen. He said someone would have to pay well for ANY of his defensemen, which to me, subtetly indicated that someone else could go on the market. I have no doubts that unless a can’t miss offer (like Kaberle for Staal/Carter) comes his way by July 1st, Burke will explore trading Beauchemin.

@ Sk8trBoi:

Horton plays the right wing more often than the center position, and there’s a lot of question marks with Horton. His cap hit is nice, and his goal scoring is pretty solid, but he leaves a lot to be desired in the physicality and work ethic department. You can argue that he would straighten up in a real hockey market, but I don’t see the interest developing in Grabovski from Florida, who have Weiss, Reinprecht, Frolik, Matthias and Campbell all capable of playing center. I find it very unlikely also, that Burke would part with Chris DiDomenico. Look for Hayes, Stefanovich and even Stalberg to go before he does.

@ The Captain:

Not so, I think certain conditions would allow for Burke to trade Beauchemin. He won’t trade Komisarek, because he hasn’t had a chance to show what he’s worth really, and he’s signed longer term, for bigger money. On the other hand, Beauchemin was a guy that wanted to resign in Anaheim, and actually didn’t even consider offers because he thought he was signing there (Bob Murray loves him). When the money didn’t materialize, because you know, the owner was in jail, Burke swooped in and talked to Francois – but as an after-thought.

The Ducks have only 2 defensemen signed next year, and one of them is Steve Eminger (irrelevent). I’m sure that in the absence of Pronger, and Niedermayer (all but sure to retire), Murray would love to have Beauchemin back. This is a trade that doesn’t make Burke look like he’s signing assets just to trade them. It didn’t work out in TO, and Anaheim wants him back – it’s that simple. Of course Burke isn’t goign to trade him to Columbus or some shit team like that, but I think this is a situation that would make a lot more sense for everyone.