*-> The Tomas Kaberle situation has started to heat up across the league but the Leafs and GM Brian Burke are still being handcuffed by the Ilya Kovalachuk fiasco. It's not just the New Jersey Devils and Ilya who are eagerly awaiting this chapter to close so they may focus on the upcoming season but up to 6 other teams are tied closely to the results of the hearing on Wednesday. The Leafs have roughly 2 weeks to deal Kaberle before his no trade clause kicks in. While Brian Burke maintains his stance on not having to trade Kaberle and only will if the situation is right, there are too many signs of a possible deal to ignore. For 1 the Leafs already approached Kaberle about listing his no trade clause at the trade deadline. Number 2 the Leafs have 7 defenseman not including Kaberle, even with a Jeff Finger buyout and no promotions it still leaves 5 defenseman and number 3 Tomas Kaberle has been telling European newspapers all summer long he expects to have a new team by summers end. So all signs point to deal but as previously stated above a deal hinges on the Kovalchuck fiasco. There are many teams who are all tired closely together while playing this game. Heres a brief break down of the players.
The Toronto Maple Leafs - Toronto is obviously tied down in this one as Brian Burke had interest but didn't pull the trigger hoping to get more value out of Kaberle. Burke thought if he out waited the Kovalchuk deal there would be more interest from around the league from the losing teams. The Leafs would like to move Kaberle to the West so they won't have to worry about running into him in the future.
The New Jersey Devils - The Devils have the biggest reason to be in this as they are waiting for Ilya Kovalchuk to be finalized as a Devil or told to rework a deal for the Russian sniper after the results of the hearing. They have no other ties other than the Kovalchuk connection but if the deal goes south, they may find themselves in a hole in Kovalchuk's loyalty isn't what it seams and another team jumps in the mix with a better deal.
The Los Angeles Kings - The Kings were the leader in the Kovalchuk bidding for the start of the summer but after the terms kept sky rocketing the Kings pulled the plug instead of find themselves in a Chicago blackhawk like situation in the near future. The Kings also have interest in Tomas Kaberle. They wish to upgrade at defense and held take some pressure of their young's backs. The Kings have a lot of youth and prospects to offer up but it may be their draft picks that could lure Toronto into a deal.
The Boston Bruins - The Bruins were rumored to be involved in talks with the Leafs about Tomas Kaberle but now it appears the subject of talk appears to be Marc Savard. Savard who has agreed to lift his now trade to ether the Ottawa Senators or the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has interest in the center and would love to reunite Phil Kessel and Savard. The Bruins are stuck as the Leafs their possible trading partner continues to shop Kaberle looking for that number 1 center with the Marc Savard deal on the back burners till they figure out what the possible return for Kaberle is incase it may be the center of their dreams and the cap hit.
The Columbus Blue Jackets - It's no secret the Jackets need help on the back end, Columbus has struggled to provide offense from the point since their existance in the league. Columbus has Anton Strahlman and Fedor Tyutin to help spark offense but both remain incosistent and a true franchise defenseman could help their ailing team. Kaberle fits the bill and GM Scott Howson has told the media he has indeed spoken to the Leafs inregards to Czech defender. The Blue Jackets also have interest in Vancouvers Kevin Bieksa.
The Anaheim Ducks - Now thats the Ducks lost a major minute consumer on the backend after dealing James Wiesnewski it's expected they'll take a run at Kaberle. The Ducks could use a legit pucking moving defenseman and they've been linked to the Leafs since last season. Many are saying a Bobby Ryan for Kaberle deal is on the table but I doubt the Ducks will part with future star like Bobby Ryan.
The Vancouver Canucks - The Canucks are tied to this scenario as they too have a sought after defenseman. Kevin Bieksa has been linked all over the league with the Nucks recently signing Dan Hamhuis and with the better option Tomas Kaberle out there it's going to be hard to get the best value. Mind you now that Sami Salo is out for 3 months the Vancouver canucks plans may have been altered.
The Edmonton Oilers - Finally Edmonton's tied into this because of their situation with Sheldon Souray. The Oilers have having a hard enough time selling Souray to teams even for free but the losers of the Kaberle and Bieksa bidding could turn to Sheldon Souray as a consolation prize.
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