Alright, so Survivor isn't coming to Toronto anytime soon. Nor will a player win money for being the only not being moved at the trade deadline on March 4. However the only player who appears to be untouchable is rookie Luke Schenn.
Burke is keeping his cards close to his chest at the moment but admits talks have heated up over the course of the week. He has said a few times now that everyone won't like the moves he makes but they are moves that he views are helpful to this club.
So who goes and who stays exactly? Well if this rebuilding process is really underway, surely Burke isn't considering trading some of the better young players they have right now like Grabovski and Kulemin.
What about some of the veterans who weren't moved last year? Well it turns out that those players are the best assests Toronto has at the moment if any deal is to be made.
Both Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina have said time and again that they have no plans of leaving this team but would be open to the idea. Kaberle has given his agent 10 teams he'd be willing to get moved to if deal was to happen, all are believed to be from the east.
Kubina now has said he has no intention of waiving his no trade clause but both players can get traded no matter what once summer rolls around if they miss the playoffs this year.
Likelihood:
Kaberle - 50/50, Burke has said that Kaberle is a good player he'd love to keep around. He would have to find a defender that plays his style anyways if he does get moved and Burke has to be blown away by any offers in order for it to be considered. Ideally a young player in the NHL, prospect and high draft pick.
Kubina - Not moving at the deadline, may get traded this summer. Little to no interest for Kubina and he appears to be willing to ride this season out with Toronto.
What happens once you have a career year, and what happens when you bounce back from a poor season? Well talks heat up about shipping you out of town while they can. Dominic Moore is on pace for a career year and Jason Blake has rebounded from a terrible season last year that saw him only score 15 goals.
Toronto currently is working out things with Moore and trying to resign him. While Moore is a good player, if he was anywhere else he would be a mediocre third/fourth line player with limited ice time and the value in return for a trade would not be great.
As for Jason Blake he still has a few years left on his deal and a lot of money to go with it. Despite him having a better season, no team will be willing to take on this aging winger.
Likelihood:
Moore - 50/50, wouldn't get much in return and may demand too much for Toronto to resign him. Although a possible trade and sign could occur where Burke would get what he could for Moore then resign him in July.
Blake - Not going anywhere, little interest for aging winger will a bad contract. Buyout in the summer could be possible but don't expect him to be traded by March.
What happens to guys who have worn out their welcome in Toronto? Well they too get shipped out of town, or are heavily pushed by fans and management who have seen enough. Players falling into this category are Nik Antropov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Matt Stajan.
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