We’ll the Tomas Kaberle trade deadline has past without him being moved. Now we should have a couple days of hearing why nothing happened and what deals might have been turned down by Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke.
- Brian Burke on the Maple Leafs site: Statement from Brian Burke:
The hockey club confirms this evening that Tomas Kaberle remains a Leaf. While a number of Clubs made offers to trade for Tomas, none of them reflected Tomas’s value to our team. I understand a period like this is stressful to the player, and we are pleased that there is a resolution, and we can all continue to prepare for the coming season.
- Mark Spector via twitter: Burke “Not upset at all” that Kaberle is still in Toronto, do you think the feeling are mutual?
- Will DePaoli via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman called Ryan Malone’s agent, Mike Luit, just after 6:00 pm to say that Malone wouldn’t be dealt.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Doesn’t think will be able to, or ultimately choosing to sign Kaberle to an extension, with the money already committed to Phaneuf, Beauchamin, and Komisarek.
- Dave Pagnotta via twitter: Doesn’t see how the Leafs will sign Kaberle to an extension, with a raise, with Phaneuf, Beauchamin, Komisarek and Schenn on the roster.
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca: Teams won’t give up a part of their future for a 32-year old defenseman that will be a free agent at the end of the season. Kaberle’s market was softened with Kevin Bieksa and Willie Mitchell available. Burke stood by his guns with regards to them keeping Kaberle if they didn’t get an offer they liked. Burke might be settling for a high draft pick at the deadline for Kaberle.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Burke says the situation is resolved, Cox doesn’t think so. “Yet Kaberle, viewed both within and without the organization as a talented offensive defenceman with suspect defensive skills, questionable heart and no leadership skill or interest, is still in the dressing room.” Kaberle is now a “diminished asset” caught in a awkward situation. Many fans will be wondering why keep a player when he’s not a player Burke feels is part of the solution for the hockey club. Not trading Kaberle is a step back in the rebuilding process. If Kaberle has an all-star season, and the Leafs are in/close to a playoff spot, they may be forced to keep him at the trade deadline.
- Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: With the Kings and Devils pre-occupied with Ilya Kovalchuk, it may have turned their attention away from Kaberle. The availability of Bieksa and Mitchell may have lessened the urgency for some teams. Not a lot of teams had the room to add $4.25 million in salary, unless their sending close to equal value back. Kaberle struggling during the second half of the season didn’t help either. Kaberle could be looking for $5-6 million on an extension. Would the Leafs want to commit over $30 million on their defensive corps?
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Several questions now face the Leafs after the failure to move Kaberle. How can 8 defenseman be happy when there are only 6 playing spots available? Will Burke really look at signing Kaberle to an extension? Would Kaberle waive his no-trade clause at the deadline if the Leafs ask him too? Burke has said they wen’t just going to give Kaberle away.
- Greg ‘Puck Daddy’ Wyshynski of Yahoo! Sports: Burke’s refusal to move Kaberle is “entirely honorable or perilously stubborn.” Sure the Leafs could use a scorer upfront, but Burke was at the mercy of the market this summer. The UFA defenseman market was the deepest. Two potential suitors, Kings and Devils, were/are involved with Kovalchuk still. Teams are capped out or have their own internal cap (ie. Dallas).
- Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets did make a play for Kaberle, but GM Scott Howson said there wasn’t a fit. Reed doesn’t see Kaberle signing an extension given what he’s been through. The price for Bieksa may have gone up given that Kaberle is off the market.