Tomas Kaberle: Toronto Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke Says "No Issue"

Toronto Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke talked Tomas Kaberle, among other things, with Puck Daddy of Yahoo! Sports during a media scrum yesterday at the World Hockey Summit.

"There is no issue as far as Tomas is concerned," says Burke, after speaking with Kaberle's agent Rick Curran.

Burke also said that while he respects Frantisek Kaberle Sr., those are his views and not the views communicated by his son to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Burke went on to say there will be no coaching change, further continuing his public support of head coach Ron Wilson.

When someone's father complains about his son's work, where do you think the source of the complaint is coming from? Yes, sometimes it comes from the parent's view that his child isn't being treated fairly, but often it comes from his child.

Don't think that this is lost on Burke. There is tension between Kaberle and Wilson; this recent story is just further evidence. The real test of both of their abilities is how they respond to it.

Will Kaberle rise to the occasion and show he can be a positive influence on the younger players (and his own end)? Or will he post a career-low in minutes played per game?

Will Wilson continue to use Kaberle's name flippantly in post-game press conferences? Or will he stand up for the veteran rearguard, and give him the opportunity to reestablish himself?

For both men to silence their critics, they need to work together. Wilson needs to support Kaberle, and Kaberle needs to support Wilson through improved play. 

After all, isn't Kaberle's fall in play and Wilson's tongue lashings the reason for the rift between them?

Rift or no rift, it appears that Kaberle and Wilson will start the season as members of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  

If they don't want to be members of the Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs Club, the two had better find a way to work together.