In the event of Tomas Kaberle waiving his NTC on March 4th, I’d be willing to bet that his fellow countryman, and teammate, Pavel Kubina, would follow suit.
If the Leafs’ top two offensive defensemen are subtracted from the lineup, not only will a wealth of skill and potential be imported into their farm system, but it’ll pave the way for a top 5 pick at the 2009 Draft.
Kaberle, who currently has 3 goals and 26 points, is on pace for yet another 50-point season. His countryman, Kubina, is on pace for an impressive 16 goals and 40 points.
Considering these stats, it’s no secret just how impactful Kaberle decision will be regarding his NTC.
Kubina, who also has a NTC, first joined the Leafs in the summer of 2006. Among his list of possible suitors, Kubina chose the city of Toronto largely due to one reason only… Kaberle.
Initially, Kaberle was stubborn towards the subject of waiving his NTC and abandoning his contract to the Leafs. Insert a newly implemented –and much needed – rebuilding plan, and Kaberle’s views are suddenly different. While he would be content with staying in Toronto, Kaberle told reporters that he’d be willing to listen to Burke if he proposed a trade to him. Carrying a 4.25 million dollar contract, you can bet there will be tons of interest for the services of #15.
Kubina, on the other hand, comes with a 5 million dollar price tag. Not terribly overpaid considering some of the contracts that were dished out last summer, but it’s still a hefty contract to submerge into a lineup. Still, that didn’t stop the San Jose Sharks at last year’s Trade Deadline. Kubina’s decision – one that I finally stopped shedding tears over – vetoed a trade that could have potentially brought Steve Bernier and a draft pick to the Leafs.
Oh, how depressing that Trade Deadline truly was.
But now, perhaps from the pity of the hockey gods, Kaberle is open to trade talks. And if he is willing to move, don’t be surprised if Kubina follows suit. After all, Kubina is 31 years of age and has nothing to gain by playing for the Leafs’ organization at this point.
In a season where reaching the playoffs was the primary goal, it’s understandable how a player doesn’t want to abandon his club, and team followers, to pursue another team. Now, however, things have changed. The majority of the Leafs’ fan base is rooting for a chance at selecting John Tavares, and considering how crappy the Isles have played this season, the Leafs are going to have to turn it down a notch if they wish to grasp that holy, godly, and miraculous 1st overall pick.
So, I think I speak for all of Leafs Nation when I say:
Please, Kaberle? Please!?
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@gmail.com
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
great article, and i agree on all points. nice to see you around more ron, the site’s missed you.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Even if we don’t get Tavares I’m sure whoever we pick in this draft will be quality. The thought of grabbing Hedman, Kane, Duchene, Cowen, Schenn or Paajarvi sounds good to me!
January 10th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Nice article Ron……and thanks for stopping by.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
“Turn it down a notch”……hahahaha. friggin hillarious.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
You know what’s funny? Kaberle has almost the same salary as Jordan Staal of the Penguins.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Mizuno
I noticed this and wondered if that signing could/would have anything to do with a possible trade. It’s clearly obvious the Pens are in desperate need of a puck moving D-man
January 10th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
yea but also Kubina NTC is limited, so if some of the teams that have interest in Kubina are on his predetermined list, we can trade him without his permission.
I bet one of those teams are Tampa
who could really use him right now.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Oh man, that would be so sweet, Mizuno.
Staal…a Leaf?
I can dream.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
My comment was not intended to imply that a trade is in the works between Kaberle and Staal. It’s just funny how today’s NHL, salaries are going up like a rocket. It’s just funny how Kaberle is such high caliber defenceman, while Jordan Staal has not proven anything this year.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I think the leafs should talk to ottawa about a tomas kaberle,vesa toskala trade for jason spezza. It would solve ottawa’s problems on defence and goal and it would give the leafs a true star player to build around, let’s face it we have no identity in toronto right now.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
not bad tiago, not bad i like spezza, good canadian kid, and sick playmaker
January 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I don’t really get to see the Penguins play much… Is a Kaberle for J. Staal trade really worth it for the Leafs? Does this kid really have the potential to be top-line talent in the NHL?… I really have no idea. His numbers are all I see and I’m not very impressed, especially at 4 million a season. I ask because I really have no idea… any insight here?
January 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Tiago… I would hate to see them go after Spezza. I hate his work ethic. I don’t think he’s a Burke type of player to be honest. And to take on that salary? No thanks!
January 11th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Burke should seriously look at getting a draft pick that’s guaranteed in the top 5.
A team like Tampa would be willing to dump a player and hey, wouldn’t kubina be willing to join the club again and may’be we could get Malone or Stamkos or “dreaming” St.Louis. and draft two top 10 picks.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Keep Spezza AWAY from this (or any future) Leaf team. He is a prototypical Sen: heartless, whiny, soft and lazy. Look at the Sens: all that talent and what? A worse record than our rag-tag bunch of future hopes and farm hands. Why? Because the team has and always did have a self-entitled, soft, me-first mentality best personified by Jason Spezza. Perish the thought of him in a Leafs jersey.