Tomas Kaberle

What’s so wrong with Burke’s Leafs? A better question might be: What’s right with the Leafs? The answer: Next to nothing. Of all that is confounding, though, in this early season dive is the play of the Leafs defence. That was supposed to be the strength of the club. Francois Beauchemin, the veteran, at $4.2 million US a year. Tomas Kaberle, the puck mover, at $4.25 million a year. Mike Komisarek, the hit man, at $4.5 million a year. Luke Schenn, the rock solid kid, at $875,000 a year. Ian White, underpaid and underappreciated, at $950,00 a year. And after that, the collection of ... Read Full Story

“Unless we’re blown away” has become the phrase of choice in Toronto. Whatever happened to “no comment”, “that’s none of your business”, or “that’s for you to find out and me to know”. What’s the point of having reporters anymore? Sports franchises are spewing it all out in the open. They might as well directly call in every thought they have to their local media entities. Do reporters actually have to do their jobs anymore, besides holding a recording device? Do they even need any sources? Obviously, I’m referring to Toronto general managers Brian Burke and J.P. Ricciardi. More specifically, I’m focusing on Burke ... Read Full Story

Tomas Kaberle still hesitates when answering his phone in the Czech Republic. But the wait and worry ends Saturday when the window on the defenceman’s no-trade contract closes, with him still expected to be a Maple Leaf. Kaberle was relieved to hear general manager Brian Burke predict again yesterday that he’ll be in the fold when training camp opens in a month. “I’m happy to be staying a Leaf, though there are still a few days to go,” a cautious Kaberle said yesterday in a phone interview from his hometown of Kladno. “Everyone knew what Brian said, that if he got a good deal ... Read Full Story

Attention K-Mart shoppers, don’t bother looking for that last-second Tomas Kaberle deal. Asked yesterday just what time today the defenceman’s trade window closes, general manager Brian Burke e-mailed: “It doesn’t matter when. We’re not moving him.” A post-season opportunity to trade Kaberle opened in his contract when the Leafs missed the playoffs. But outside of discussions with Boston for Phil Kessel at the draft, nothing developed and Burke decided to see what Kaberle can do this year when protected by a tougher Toronto defence. Burke’s hope to trade another defenceman for help at forward remain unfulfilled to date. Read Full Story

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke expects Tomas Kaberle to be in the lineup on opening night, and will be shocked if the defenceman is not. Burke made the comments on Thursday during a press conference where former NHLer Dave Poulin was introduced as the club’s new vice-president of Hockey Operations. “I’d have to be blown away,” Burke said in response to moving Kaberle before the season. “But that hasn’t happened and I don’t see what happening.” Read Full Story