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Raymond’s Realistic Chance; Kaberle Nixes KHL Deal

September 9, 2013, 11:47 PM ET [980 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Maple Leafs training camp invitation to free agent winger Mason Raymond was not simply a favor being paid by the GM who drafted the 27-year-old forward in Vancouver back in 2005, it could end up being a significant depth addition and insurance against a potential extended holdout by restricted free agent Nazem Kadri.

“I had spoken to J.P. Barry maybe a month ago just to let him know that did have some interest, depending on how the summer played out.” GM Dave Nonis said Sunday night. “We have some opportunities and he is looking for a chance to prove himself, so it was a pretty good fit.”

Overshadowed by the additions of David Clarkson, Dave Bolland and Jonathan Bernier over the summer were the departures of Leo Komarov to the KHL, Clarke MacArthur to Ottawa as a free agent and Matt Frattin as part of the deal that brought Bernier to Toronto, depleting the club’s depth on the wing.

Raymond’s offensive abilities have declined after suffering a serious back injury in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, but he remains a solid speedy two-way forward who might fit into Randy Carlyle’s defensive oriented scheme and could step on the Leafs checking line.

“I believe in my capabilities and the interest that was shown by a handful of teams that I talked to throughout the summer.” Raymond said to Sportsnet FAN 590’s David Alter on Monday. “Hopes would have been to have a contract prior to going to camp, but saying that I think every player’s got to go to camp and earn a spot and that’s what I’m looking to do coming to Toronto.”

The invitation not only provides options for Nonis in case the club cannot reach an accord with Kadri, who reportedly has given up on getting a long-term deal but is looking to make as much as $3.5 Million per season on a two-year bridge deal, but also could give Carlyle flexibility to move someone like Jay McClement from wing to center, play another skilled forward in games when both Fraser McLaren and Colton Orr are not needed in the lineup or prevent Joe Colborne from having to play out of position on the wing.

If Raymond makes the club, it is expected that the cost to sign the six-year NHL veteran would be below $1 Million per season, but with the Leafs having barely enough room under the salary cap to re-sign Kadri and RFA Cody Franson, another player will have to be moved or demoted to make room for Raymond.

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Per Sportsnet FAN 590's Hockey Central, former Leaf Tomas Kaberle will not be heading to the KHL's Dynamo Minsk as was reported a few weeks ago. The 35-year-old defenseman will instead play with HC Kladno in the Czech League.

The blueliner stated that his reasons for switching were because he wanted to concentrate on making the Czech team for the upcoming Sochi Olympics next February and also because Kladno would give him an out to return to North America if an NHL team expressed interest.

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