Tomas Kaberle the last of the “Muskoka Five”

With Tomas Kaberle being the last of the “Muskoka Five” to remain with the Toronto it is time to turn the chapter and move him and put the past Leaf horrors behind us. Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Bryan McCabe and now Pavel Kubina are all but a distant memory leaving us with just Grant Exelby, Colin Stuart and Mike Van Ryn to show for what, just a few seasons ago, was the heart and soul of the Maple Leaf squad.

Kaberle, as rumor has it, was all but gone at the 2008 NHL trade deadline to Philadelphia for 46 goal scorer Jeff Carter and the Flyers first round pick in the 2008 entry draft (later dealt to Washington who selected defenseman John Carlson). Then at the 2009 draft Kaberle was rumored to be almost gone again this team in a deal with the rival Bruins that would bring in the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft and last years 36 goal scorer Phil Kessel who at the moment is at odds with Boston on a new contract. Other teams have been whispered to be talking to Leafs General Manager Brian Burke for the services of Kaberle including the likes of St. Louis, Los Angeles and Chicago.

At only thirty-one years of age Kaberle still has many productive years ahead of him and has been one of the most consistent Leaf players over the past decade. With Burke bringing adding free agents Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and trading for Exelby to go along with last years rookie sensation Luke Schenn, Ian White, Jeff Finger, Anton Stralman and Van Ryn Toronto can now deal a defenseman the caliber of Kaberle without leaving themselves with a huge hole on the backend.

Former GM John Ferguson Jr. can take most of the blame signing these players to their “no trade” and “no movement” contracts but these five players could have made things a lot easier for Burke’s retooling plan if they had of seen the writing on the wall and agreed to be moved at the deadline. The writing was on the wall when interim GM Cliff Fletcher asked each player to be dealt, now former Leaf star players have left the organization on a sour note that all Leafs fans have seen before with legends such as Darryl Sittler and Dave Keon. Mats Sundin finally chose to return to the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks but could not shake off the rust in time to provide the ‘Nucks with enough to get them to the cup final. Bryan McCabe, who had been booed mercilessly in his last season in a Leaf uniform, had an okay season with the Florida Panthers but was far from the 50+ points he registered in three straight seasons with the Buds. Darcy Tucker was just a disaster for the Colorado Avalanche scoring his lowest point total in more than a decade.

It is hard for Leaf Nation to look at what might have been. Sundin was rumored to be dealt to the Habs for Chris Higgins, and a first, second, and third round draft picks (Greg Nemisz, Danny Kristo and Steve Quailer). Carter, Higgins, 2009 first round draftee Nazem Kadri, along with Euro young studs Mikhail Grabovski, Jiri Tlusty and Nikolai Kulemin to make up a potentially explosive top six forwards up front.

Does Kaberle really want to leave Toronto the way his buddies did?? Toronto fans are starved for a Stanley Cup parade down Yonge Street and while we do appreciate Kabs’ time as a Leaf the new truculent and tougher TO squad would be better served moving forward without him; before the ghosts of Larry Murphy return and the boo birds hone in on a new target in the Czech defender.

10) Bryan McCabe Out of Toronto - It had to happen McCabe had lost the support of the Maple Leaf fans and the needed to get his salary off the cap. McCabe was traded to Florida in exchange for Mike Van Ryn. McCabe should have a good season in Florida and Toronto is just happy to have him out of there locker room. Van Ryn probably won’t have a big impact, but is an NHL D- man.

9) Zherdev and Fritsche to Rangers – This deal went under the radar, but should have a big impact on the Rangers this season. If Zherdev lives up to his potential and Fritsche provides some energy, the trade could be a steal for the Rangers. I am sure Zherdev will get the chance to play with one of the Rangers talented centers in Drury or Gomez, look for Zherdev to have a career year.

8 ) Cammalleri to Calgary - The Flames have always needed secondary scoring and I think they have found it in Cammalleri. Two years ago Mike had 30 goals and 80 points with Los Angeles. Cammalleri is a streaky player, but if he can get consistent he can be an NHL all star. This trade may have made Calgary one of the favorites in the Western Conference.

7) Redden to the Rangers - I am not sure he deserves the contract he got with New York, but if he bounces back to become an all star again it will be worth it. Redden is a solid puck moving d – man and that is exactly what the Rangers needed. The last couple of years have not been great for Wade, but he has proven that he has the ability to be one of the best defenseman in the NHL.

6) Dan Boyle to Sharks – San Jose needed a puck moving D – Man and they got one of the best in Boyle. Dan’s contract is a little hefty, but he is a legit number one defenseman in the NHL. Boyle immediately improves the power play and will make it easier to get the puck up the ice when at even strength. The Sharks lost Campbell and Boyle was the best man out there to replace him with. If Boyle is healthy, he will be an all star in San Jose.

5) Tanguay to Montreal - The long rumored deal of Tanguay to Montreal finally happened this off season. Tanguay had an off year last season, but is a highly gifted offensive forward. Tanguay will add to the already deep Montreal forward lines to create one of the best top two lines in hockey. A Quebec native there will be a lot of pressure on Tanguay this year, but I look for him to be a point a game player.

4) Ryan Malone Signs with the Lightning – Tampa Bay finished last season with the worst record in the NHL, that will not happen this year. Malone is a young power forward who will be an excellent 2nd line player with Tampa. Malone will likely play along side 1st overall pick Steven Stamkos. The Lightning have always had trouble with there secondary scoring and Malone should help fix that. He has the potential to put up a point a game in the league, while providing toughness. Over the long run Malone may end up being the best signing from this off season.

3) Brian Campbell to the Blackhawks – To much money?, maybe , but there is no doubt that Campbell is a top offensive defenseman in the NHL. The Blackhawks are young and exciting and Brian should add some leadership to the team. The Blackhawks are on the up swing, and hope the addition of Campbell will lead them into the playoffs. Campbell will run the power play and lead the team from the back end, look for Campbell to be among the top scoring d – men this season.

2) Phoenix Acquires Jokinen – Phoenix needs to make the playoffs this year, to get some fans in the arena. Olli Jokinen is one of the most under rated players in the league, mostly because he has spent his whole career in Florida. He is a better then a point a game player and will team up with Shane Doan to be the top point producers on the team. Its nice to see Phoenix get a great player like Olli and I think they will make the playoffs this year led by him. A healthy Jokinen will have more then a point a game and provide much needed leadership to a young team.

1) Hossa is a Wing - The surprise of the summer came when Marian Hossa signed a one year contract with the Stanley Cup Champions. Hossa is a true NHL all star and left a lot of money and years on the table in order to have a chance at winning a Cup with the Wings. Detroit already has all stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, with Hossa they are ready to score a lot of goals this year. Hossa fits right in with the Red Wing philosophy of top players playing in all situations. Marian is a solid defensive player and he will get a chance to show it off in Motown. No one knows what will happen this year, but Hossa was the best player to change teams this off season.

The season still needs to played and you never know what could happen, but some of these moves will have massive impacts on the teams involved. Some of these moves could set teams in the wrong direction as well. The season starts in a couple of weeks, enjoy the games.