Loading...

Tomas Kaberle Still a Leaf: Three Deals That Can Change That (bleacher report)

Tue 03 Aug 2010 14:23:58 | 6 comments

correction from the email, typed 14th by accident. The no trade comes into effect on the 15th


With just over a month left until training camps

begin across the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs'

roster appears to be set. With 21 players signed and about two million in cap space, the Maple Leafs appear to have a firm hold of their roster.

With that said, there still remains a lot of unanswered questions with the roster they currently have right now.

Will this Tomas Kaberle Trade Rumor Mill ever end?

When will the Leafs outright Jeff Finger to the AHL?

Will anyone take Mikhail Grabovski for a bag of pucks and a spray can of "Febreze"?

Those are the three main pieces remaining on the Leafs' roster that need to be addressed before the season begins. If they can manage to move them, they will not only open up roster spots, but they will be shedding nearly $11 million a year in contracts.

I'm not going to speculate on trades and whatever for Grabovski and Finger, but rather focus on Kaberle, the most attractive trade chip on teams' radar.

Here are three deals to hopefully end the Kaberle madness

Trade 1

TOR/DAL

Tomas Kaberle and Mikhail Grabovski for Brad Richards

Why Does This Move Make Sense ?

The Stars still have three pretty decent RFA's to resign in James Neal, Matt Niskanen, and Nicklas Grossman, all of whom played regular minutes on the team last year.

The Stars defence isn't the greatest and could really use the shot in the arm on their power play that Kaberle would provide. Grabovski evens out salaries and provides the Stars with a second or third line center.

The Leafs currently have six defenders with a cap hit of close to or more than $3 million. This move easily addresses the Leafs' need for a playmaking first-line center. This will allow Nazem Kadri to develop at a slower pace.

Trade 2

TOR/LAK

Tomas Kaberle for Wayne Simmonds and Colten Teubert

Why Does This Move Make Sense ?

With the Kings, Simmonds would again be dismissed to the third line with Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, Ryan Smyth making up the first line, and Alexei Ponikarovsky along with Michal Handzus and Dustin Brown comprising the second line. This move allows for Simmonds to play a first or second line role with the Leafs.

Adding Teubert gives the Leafs a rock solid presence on the back end once again. It allows them to move Francois Beauchemin in hopes that he can land a first line center. If not, the Leafs will sweat out another year before adding their first line center.

For the Kings, they add a top 10 defenseman to the team that is hurting for veteran defenders following an injury to Matt Greene.

Again, this move would be predicated on the Kovalchuk decision.

Trade 3

TOR/BUF

Tomas Kaberle for Tim Connolly and Zack Kassian

Why Does This Move Make Sense ?

For the Sabres, having lost two top four defenders in Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman (to the Devils and Ducks respectively), Buffalo could desperately use the help on the back end.

Connolly is moved to make room for prospects Tyler Ennis and Nate Gerbe, who could be just as good one day, but comes with a lower price tag and less injury concerns.

For the Leafs, they gain a good prospect and a one-year rental center in Tim Connolly. Connolly when healthy is a very good player, but that's a big if.

The Leafs would be taking a chance on Connolly, but if things don't work out, his $4-5 million contract expires at the end of the year, so all is not lost.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/428756-kaberle-still-a-leaf-three-deals-that-can-change-that-by-august-15th

  • SHARE

Comments

I'm still not convinced that any team is going to give up any young talent for Kaberle.
Trade #1 gets me excited. Trade 3 doesn't thrill me simply because I am not a Tim Connolly fan. Although having a guy named Zack might be fun. Hey look, there goes ol Crazy Kassain ! He sounds like he would be capable of doing magic tricks. Hockey skills + magic tricks is win win for everyone. +morale.
The only team that makes sense is the LA KINGS, there Burke doesn't have to watch Kab. And there is a lot of young kids there.

Bad Ref 0
grabovski and kaberle to chicago for campbell and sharp, then turn around and trade schenn and ? to anihiem for bobby ryan, why does this make sense chicago gains 3 mill in cap space campbell's and kabs numbers are comparable but campbell is 2 yrs younger. for some reason the ducks and ryan have not come to a contract agreement, as for giving up schenn and ? , you have to give something to get something. this is pure fantasy but not totally out of the relm of possibility.

Bad Ref 0
Hmmmm. Yeah.. I like trades 1 and 2. Brad Richards a leaf, would be amazing. I think he would perform better here than in Dallas. The excitment here, and fresh start on a young team would invigorate his game that much more. Wayne Simmonds is a good Scarborough kid thats only getting better, and would be a welcome addition. But hes made such good strides in his progression as a player, that I don't think LA would let him go just yet.
Brian Burke would never do trade 3. maybe derek roy and zack kassian for kabs and grabo would be more likely but buffalo probably wouldnt except that. the LA trade would be my favourite but we would probaly have to offer up alot more then kaberle an we wouldnt get Colten Teubert with it. it would be more like kulemin and kaberle for simmonds



or
CAPTCHA Images

Latest Activity

posted a new blog entry Toronto Maple Leafs embarrass themselves and their fans.
38 days ago
posted a new blog entry The toughest players to wear the Maple Leaf sweater.
4 months ago
posted a new blog entry Grading the Maple Leafs at the quarter point.
5 months ago
posted a new blog entry .
6 months ago
posted a new blog entry echhh ......bruins.
7 months ago

Share

Powered by