So much for the break from Tomas Kaberle trade rumors, and once again Burke has denied any talks, and Kaberle’s agent, Rick Curran, said he hasn’t been approached by Leaf management. Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun wrote an article today titled “Kabs steadfast on staying put” . To summarize the article quickly, Kaberle is happy playing for the Leafs, he hasn’t been contacted to waive his no-trade clause, Burke says reports that Chicago might send Sharp or Versteeg to the Leafs are untrue and followed by the last line of “”No legs,” Burke said in an e-mail. “We have never discussed Kaberle.””
I read the article earlier this morning and didn’t read much into it. Then as I continue my morning NHL readings, I saw mentioned in several places that the Leafs and Chicago were talking a Kaberle – Sharp or Versteeg deal, referencing the Sun article. Wait a second, I didn’t recall reading that, did I miss that in the article (I hadn’t had my morning 3 cups of coffee yet). Time to re-read.
Nowhere in the article does it really say that Kaberle – Sharp/Versteeg deal was proposed/discussed, but the way the article was written, it ‘leads’ you in that direction. Yes, it mentions Sharp or Versteeg to the Leafs but not for Kaberle. The opening paragraphs saying that Kaberle wants to stay in Toronto, and no talks with his agent about waiving his no-trade clause followed by this ….
The talk yesterday was that the Chicago Blackhawks might be looking to send the goal-challenged Leafs one of their extra forwards, since they will have both Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews joining them from the injured list soon.Patrick Sharp or Kris Versteeg are among the big-ticket players the Blackhawks may have to move to keep their future cap numbers balanced.
Meanwhile, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who had second thoughts about dealing Kaberle after a trade with Boston for Phil Kessel and a pick fell apart during draft week, said the Chicago report was untrue.
“No legs,” Burke said in an e-mail. “We have never discussed Kaberle.”
What question is Burke’s quote answering? Never discussed with Boston? Chicago? or any other team?
Is Hornby trying to start a rumor? Or is sitting back and laughing at how Maple Leafs fans can make something out of nothing. Either way, people are talking about it, and I’m going to comment on it.
Now it’s not a new rumor that Sharp or Versteeg may have to be dealt due to the salary cap mess they’ve created, but taking back a $4.25 million cap hit in return make zero sense. The whole point of the ‘Hawks having to unload one of their young stars is save cap money, not replace it. If the ‘Hawks are forced to trade either Sharp or Versteeg, they would most likely want prospects or draft picks so that there is no immediate cap ramifications. The Leafs have no top draft picks this year and next, and their top prospects are either untouchable or not good enough to land a top young NHLer.
The only way I could see Kaberle’s contract mentioned in heading to Chicago would be if the deal involve the Leafs taking Brian Campbell’s large-long term contract, or some other large contract, along with Sharp or Versteeg. The ‘Hawks need to save $5-10 million so they can re-sign Kane, Toews and Keith. Would the Leafs want Campbell’s $7.5+ cap hit? Probably not.