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KABERLE TRADE STILL POSSIBLE BEFORE SEASON STARTS |
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There is still a chance that Tomas Kaberle could be moved before the season, according to two hockey insiders. Maple Leafs play by play announcer Dennis Beyak and former Assistant GM Bill Watters in a roundtable discussion yesterday both stated that it is possible that the 32 year old veteran blueliner would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to be traded before the regular season starts.
Beyak indicated that the prospect of facing another season of incessant questioning from the Toronto media about whether he would be willing to waive his no-trade might convince Kaberle it is time to move on.
With Kaberle eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of this season, it is an imperative to get consistent ice time to have a successful offensive year. Kaberle will be in the top echelon of free agents on the market next July, but if he is able to put up some impressive numbers, his stock and price tag will go up in the eyes of many of the league’s general managers.
If history is any indicator, Kaberle cannot expect to get 20 minutes a night in Toronto under Coach Ron Wilson. In both seasons as Leafs coach, Kaberle’s ice time has fluctuated due to his propensity for being muscled off the puck in his own zone. Wilson will likely give more responsible defenders like Dion Phaneuf, Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek more minutes in key situations. He also must give youngsters like Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson enough playing time to allow them to gain experience.
For this scenario to be come to fruition, Kaberle would have to sign off on his potential destination and that would indicate a team in the Eastern Conference.
Both Beyak and Watters agreed that once the regular season begins, the likelihood of Kaberle being moved decreases dramatically.
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