Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 5.29

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Tomas Kaberle is something of an anomaly in the world of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A homegrown prospect – not even a high draft pick but one picked all the way back in the eighth round – that has been developed from within before eventually going on to become one of the best at his craft in the NHL. The Leafs, for those just crawling out from under a rock for the first time in two decades, can’t cite too many other examples of just such an occurrence.

While there is no denying Kaberle’s ability to control the play, get out of trouble in his own zone and distribute the puck effectively, at thirty two years of age, what you see now is what you get. He has been a wonderful player for the Maple Leafs for the past ten years but as hard as it is to say, it is time for Kaberle to move along.

As the Leafs will miss the playoffs once again this season, Kaberle’s no-trade clause is rendered null and void this off season. Brian Burke must take advantage now and salvage some kind of a return on an asset like Kaberle. His value will never be any higher. At this point in his career, the potential for the greatest return will only start to diminish as more miles are logged. In two or three years when the Leafs hope to be a regularly competitive team, how much will Kaberle’s skills have eroded by then? Enough to warrant a trade now.

Nothing at all against Kaberle, but the Leafs can ill afford to let yet another tangible asset as they did with Sundin, Tucker et al. to move along with no return. Most concerning with Kaberle has been the fact that after arguably one of his best starts this season, his play has regressed in the second half of the season to the point where he is too often making critical errors that lead to goals. You don’t put up a -16 by accident. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.