Tomas Kaberle: Will He Stay in Toronto or Will He Go?

Most of the trade deadline frenzy within the city of Toronto has revolved around Tomas Kaberle and the possibility of him moving come Mar. 4. The Leafs are now in a position to tear down and start fresh, something which former GM Cliff Fletcher attempted last season, but was foiled by the no trade clauses.

What would have happened last season had the mind-sets of players such as Mats Sundin, Kaberle, and Pavel Kubina had been different?

All reports had Kaberle heading to the Flyers in exchange for Jeff Carter and a first round pick in the 2008 draft. Pavel Kubina was heading to San Jose for Steve Bernier and a first round pick in 2008. Mats Sundin was heading to Montreal in exchange for a package surrounding Chris Higgins and a first round pick in 2008. Whether these rumored deals were true or not, the fact remains that their refusal to waive the no trade clauses last season has set the Leafs back greatly in their current rebuild.

We now look to this season. The Leafs have several marketable players who could possibly find new homes come Mar. 4. The big names include Nik Antropov, Pavel Kubina, and Tomas Kaberle. To a lesser extent, players like Alexei Ponikarovsky, Dominic Moore, Mike Van Ryn, Jamal Mayers, and Jason Blake can be had for low returns.

The major question now remains: do the Leafs move Kaberle, or keep him on board for their rebuild?

Premiere puck-moving defenders are always a premium within the new NHL. Contracts such as that of Brian Campbell in Chicago, Ron Hainsey in Atlanta, and Dan Boyle in San Jose illustrate the current prices of top-pairing, puck-moving defenseman.

Tomas Kaberle, and the remaining two years of his contract at a very reasonable $4.25 million cap hit may hold more value to the Maple Leafs then any possible return.

The Leafs are now managed well by Brian Burke. To even consider moving Kaberle, one must believe that the asking price will surround a top-six young forward, a top prospect, and a first round selection in 2009.

Burke's comments over the past week illustrate a hesitation to move Kaberle, given his desire to remain with the blue and white. It will be an interesting few weeks for the Kaberle situation to say the least.

As for the other assets, expect Burke to target a young goaltender, young forwards with top-six potential, and draft picks in the upcoming deep draft. For the first time in a long time, Leafs fans will feel at ease heading into the deadline as one Brian Burke is now calling the shots, and this Leaf's fan could not be happier.