Kaberle Stays, Playoffs the Goal

Despite the hype on draft night, the Kaberle trade window came to a close on the weekend with Kaberle still a member of the team. Burke views Kaberle as a premier defenseman and was not willing to move him unless he could get a top six forward that fit into the team’s long term plans in return. The problem is that Kaberle is coming off a couple of average seasons and will need a strong showing this year to regain his trade value.

Kaberle remaining on the team is by no means all bad. The team has added grit and toughness on defense so his ability to move the puck, generate offense and quarterback the power play is a great need. This year he will likely be paired with 6’4, 240 pound Mike Komisarek. Komisarek is a tough player and good defender, but has trouble moving the puck under pressure. With this pairing his game will be simplified and all he has to do is get the puck over to Kaberle. Kaberle too should see an improvement in his game since he will have Komisarek to watch his back and clear the front of the net.

It was good for the team that Kaberle agreed to waive his no-trade clause at the last trade deadline. This established a level of trust with Burke which will be good for the overall team. If the Leafs are playoff contenders this year Kaberle will play a key role. If the team struggles, it would not be surprising to see Kaberle again waive his not trade clause at the trade deadline with a deal more likely.

With Kaberle staying, the roster will not change much prior to the start of the season. Burke will try and move an excess defender, but the deal may well be one for prospects or draft choices. At this point of the summer we can finally start trying to figure out if the Leafs have a realistic shot at the playoffs this season.

Last year they were 12 points and 4 spots out of the playoffs. To make it this year, they have to pass Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and either Montreal or New York. This will not be easy, but none of those teams enters the coming season without question marks.

The Senators still have the Heatley situation hanging over their heads, have done nothing to improve their defense and are counting on Leclaire to finally be the answer in goal. Buffalo stood still over the summer and Florida will feel the loss of Bouwmeester. With Toronto’s strengthened defense they may well be able to pass these three teams if they get solid goaltending from Toskala and Gustavsson.

That leaves Montreal or the Rangers as the other team the Leafs have to pass to get into the playoffs. The Canadiens may well be the team that will slip this year. Montreal has completely rebuilt their roster and brought in a new coach. Gone are Koivu, Kovalev, Higgins, Komisarek, Tanguay, Lang, Schneider, Dandenault and Brisebois. Montreal did bring in new players to fill the spots but the new skill players are very small and the back end does not look like it will be as strong. Jacques Martin has never been known as a communicator so trying to mold this group into a team under the glare of the Montreal media might be too much of a challenge. Price will also need a quick start so that he can regain his confidence.

The big challenge for the Leafs will be having players grow into offensive roles on the top two lines. What Burke did manage to do this summer was build a defense that will be among the very top in the East. At this point it looks like they should be able to make a run at a playoff spot and maybe even push the Rangers for seventh.