NHL Rumors August 15: Tomas Kaberle Deadline Day Edition

It's finally here! The day you have all been waiting for. Tomas Kaberle's NTC kicks in tomorrow so today is the last day Brian Burke has to deal him. 

The Los Angeles Kings have more or less stopped pursuing Ilya Kovalchuk, and Tomas Kaberle. Its not that they don't want them, they just do not think they can get them. So they set their sights on Willie Mitchell and offered him a two year contract.

I think this is the right thing to do for the Kings as they have enough solid puck movers, they need a shut down defence-man or two like Willie Mitchell. I doubt he takes two years unless they offer a lot of money as he probably wants a one year contract to prove he can still play so he gets a good offer next time.

Some sources say Sharks are closest to make a Kaberle trade and that Ryan Clowe is part of the package. Other sources say the Sharks have zero interest in Kaberle.

I don't think they have zero interest in Kaberle, but I do think their offers show they are not willing to give up that much for Kaberle. Furthermore, Eklund said Kaberle and Sharks are close to a deal, so don't expect a deal with the Sharks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are preparing an offer for Kaberle. They are going to offer Steve Downie, Paul Ranger and a draft pick. I don't think it gets it done unless the draft pick is a first round pick that is completely unprotected, and I just don't see Steve Yzerman doing that.

The trade where a team asked to extend Kaberle involved the Dallas Stars. They offered a player and a pick if Kaberle is extended, and if Kaberle is not extended the Leafs send them a pick.

Brian Burke as of this morning has stated that if the offers he got so far are all he gets, then Kaberle is staying put. This would create a real logjam at the defense position and make them a bit weak in their top six forwards.