Even with the news of the scrutiny over the Kovalchuk contract, the moratorium on player movement seems to have finally broken with a handful of deals signed today (including RFA David Perron re-upping with St. Louis). And teams have finally returned to the bargaining table to hash out trades to either fill a need in their lineup or to clear out cap space. The Philadelphia Flyers opened those floodgates Monday afternoon by trading Simon Gagne to Tampa Bay for a 4th rounder and Matt Walker. News of the Flyers-Lightning trade (the 2nd deal between these teams in the past 3 weeks) circulated almost instantly once the details of Kovalchuk’s massive deal with the Devils broke.
As there are a handful of teams in similar cap pinches as Philadelphia is (COUGH – Chicago – COUGH), several players’ names have been bandied about as trade bait. This is where we come to the curious case of Kaberle….Tomas Kaberle, that is.
With Kaberle’s imminent departure from the Big Smoke all but assured, I can’t help but look back on the end of the Leafs’ season just two short seasons ago….and back to the Muskoka Five.
If you recall, the Leafs were making another ill-fated late-season charge towards the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference (Toronto was eliminated on the final day of the regular season in both 2005-06 and 2006-07). Interim-GM Cliff Fletcher – brought back temporarily for a second reign in T.O. following the firing of John Ferguson, Jr. in January 2008 – had every intent of making the Leafs “sellers” at the trade deadline, but was unable to convince the team’s core players (and most valuable trade assets) to waive their no-trade clauses to aid in the (eternal) rebuilding process. These players became infamously known as “the Muskoka Five."
With Kaberle – currently the longest tenured player Leaf – being the last man standing amongst the group who refused to go to greener pastures at the 2008 trade deadline (and with Burke seemingly mulling over his options), I figured a brief look back at what exactly transpired for the remaining player who are now only a memory to Leafs fans.
Darcy Tucker was the first of the gang to go, having had his contract bought out prior to the opening of Free Agent Frenzy ‘08. Tucker was just one year into a four year, $12 million deal – meaning the Leafs will continue to owe Tucker $1 million each season through 2013-14. Tucker signed with Colorado for $4.5 million over 2 years, and after two largely unproductive seasons in the Rockies, is presently a UFA.
The scourge of Leafs fans in 2007-08 (and the butt of all own-goal jokes), Bryan McCabe was traded in training camp on 9/2/08 with a ’10 4th rounder to Florida for Mike Van Ryn. While McCabe has been the lynchpin for the Panthers’ power play, Van Ryn has played a grand total of 27 games over the last two seasons for the Leafs thanks to a rash of unfortunate injuries (and one memorable shattering experience) – and will miss the 2010-11 season as well). Florida, by the way, used the pick to select goaltender Sam Brittain of the AJHL’s Camrose Eagles at 92nd overall last month, a player bound for the University of Denver in 2011-12.
Thanks to a loophole in his no-trade clause which permitted the Leafs the chance to trade him during the off-season (which is the case with Kaberle as well), Pavel Kubina was traded on the opening day of Free Agent Frenzy ‘09 from Toronto (with Tim Stapleton) to Atlanta for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart (who was later traded with Anton Stralman and a ’12 7th rounder to Calgary for Wayne Primeau and a ’11 2nd rounder). Kubina spent just one season in Hot ‘Lanta, and recently signed with Tampa Bay – where he won a Stanley Cup in 2003-04 – to a 2-year, $7.7 million deal. Meanwhile, Exelby made it clear during the season that he didn’t exactly enjoy his time in Toronto – considering he spent a good part of it in the press box. Both Exelby and Primeau are seeking new teams as UFA’s.
Tomas Kaberle will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2010-11 season. His $4.25 million hit against the cap certainly won’t break the bank, considering his value as an offensive weapon on the power play.
I mention these things because considering how little the Leafs received in return for Tucker, McCabe, Sundin, and Kubina, I’d prefer to see Toronto actually receive something of value for the services of Kaberle (well, duh). But knowing the non-sensible way the Leafs have been governed over the years, let’s just say I won’t hold my breath.
Yes, I do realize Cliff Fletcher’s hands were tied thanks to the unity of these five players just two years ago. Fletcher likely would’ve landed more for any or all of those players at the ‘08 trade deadline, but that wasn’t exactly an option. I also realize Fletcher was acting as a stand-in until Brian Burke officially took the reins as GM and President in November 2008. But considering his previous ties to the franchise, you’d think “Fletch” would’ve made a better effort than he did.
Bottom line, Burke has an opportunity this off-season to make a major addition with Kaberle as the bait. Considering the failure to do so with the rest of the Muskoka Five - combined with the gross miscalculation of the Phil Kessel trade and the inability to acquire a 1st round pick prior to this June's draft - it seems imperative for the Leafs to go fishing for a top-six forward. And with no 1st round pick next year - not to mention the Leafs horrific track record in the draft over the years - the time is now to strike while the iron is hot.
Just one simple request: Please, no more "truculence."
Truculance? From Burke? Surely you jest? Besides, that's an awfully big word for a blog, don't ya think? ;)
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