Tomas Kaberle and the Boston Bruins: To Deal or Not To Deal?

Derek Harmsworth by Senior Writer Written on June 26, 2009
BOSTON - MAY 14:  Phil Kessel #81 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 14, 2009 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Hurricanes defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Yesterday, it was reported by Darren Dreger of TSN that the Toronto Maple Leafs had received a "significant" offer for defenseman Tomas Kaberle.  

Early this morning, it was revealed that the team making the offer was the Boston Bruins.  Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has apparently offered the Toronto Maple Leafs young sniper Phil Kessel in exchange for the services of Tomas Kaberle and the seventh overall pick.

(To toot my own horn a little bit, this deal—or part of it—was speculated on my new blog a few days ago.)

Phil Kessel is a fantastic young player.  A man who has had a lot of his career derailed by a couple of unfortunate circumstances, Kessel has gotten better on the ice every year, and last season fighting through mono scored 36 goals in 70 games.

But the asking price, seems to be a little steep.  For Boston to grab Kaberle and the Leafs' seventh overall selection in exchange for Kessel—who is an RFA—seems favoured in Boston's way a little too much.

In order for this deal to work, in my opinion, the Leafs would need to receive Boston's first-round choice, plus perhaps their second or third.  

Another option is to revisit the deal rumoured on my blog a few days ago which would send Kaberle to Boston in exchange for Kessel, a prospect, and perhaps another mid-round draft pick.

As Brian Burke enters the draft tonight, and the myriad of trade proposals that are no doubt going to coming his way throughout the afternoon, there should really be two untouchables. 

Luke Schenn, and the seventh overall pick.

The thought of Kessel is tantalizing for many fans in Leafs Nation, but the current price tag may be too steep.

This article is also featured on my blog, LeafsNationLive, which is updated daily and frequently with breaking news

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written on June 26, 2009 Opinion

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