Leafs trade Kaberle to Bruins
Posted February 18, 2011 5:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The Leafs have traded defenceman Tomas Kaberle to the Boston Bruins for prospect centre Joe Colborne, a first-round draft pick and a conditional pick for the 2011-2012 season, as they continue to fight for a spot in the playoffs.
Kaberle is the second-highest scoring defenceman in Leaf history, with a career total of 520 points. He was known for his rosy cheeks, great stick handling and never hogging the puck.
He was a fan favourite, with some Leaf faithful even writing a song about him. The 32 year old had spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs and was the only player remaining from the team’s last playoff season in 2004.
Sportsnet Radio The FAN 590 sports director Doug Farraway called Kaberle “the best player on the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
“He’ll be remembered as an offensive weapon for Toronto, and just a plain good soldier,” Farraway told 680News. “He had the ability to see the open man, and the Bruins just got a very good player.”
Kaberle’s name was repeatedly mentioned in trade rumours in recent years, and had waived his ‘no trade clause’.
General manager Brian Burke finally pulled the trigger a little over a week before the league’s Feb. 28 trade deadline.
“He came back and he said that he would like us to start with the Boston Bruins,” Burke said at a press conference Friday afternoon.
“He was one of the best defenceman to play here in this era, a gentleman the whole time. To Tomas Kaberle – good luck in Boston. You’re a good man and thanks for everything you did here.”
At Yonge and Bloor, many fans expressed their disappointment with the Blue and White’s latest move.
“It’s a mistake on Toronto’s part because every time Toronto tends to build a team, we tend to break it down,” said one fan.
“I think he’s been a good Leaf for us, he’s played for many years and we should have probably gotten more,” said another.
“Look what happened with Eric Lindros over a decade ago,” Dewan told 680News. “He was a first round draft pick and look what happened to him. Let’s just sprinkle some dust on that first round pick and we’ll see what happens.”
One woman, however, thought the move might bring the team good luck.
“He’s one of our best players, but we don’t seem to do well with our best players so let’s try somebody else.”
And some felt it was only fair for the hockey star.
“If it works well for him, if he’s making more money, why not? If I had a better opportunity somewhere else, if I had a better job somewhere else, I’d take it,” one man told 680News.
It’s the third deal for the Maple Leafs in a little over a week. However, final NHL approval is still needed before the move is completely official.
