However, 11:59pm on August 15, 2010 passed without any deal for the long-serving D man surfacing. This came as a huge disappointment, and will now be considered a mistake that Burke will always be remembered for.
Here's my take on Kaberle:
The guy has stuck around on the same team through the worst years the organization has seen in a long time. He's been happy that he is on a losing team. He has enjoyed being on a team that hasn't seen the postseason since before the lockout. He has never shown one ounce of truculence. Who's seen him throw a punch? Who's seen him show any form of grit or passion for playing? He just looks like a lost 12-year-old boy.
So why would you want to keep him? Why not clean house and start fresh with a group of young players who are hungry to prove themselves in the league?
And as for Kaberle. Why would you be happy to stick around with an organization that paraded you through the trade market begging for adequate compensation? Although it was somewhat of a compliment that Burke didn't think any offers were legitimate, you still gotta think that next opportunity you will be shipped.
Or worse.
The odds that Kaberle will walk next summer as a free agent and not provide any sort of return for the organization are very high. And that is a travesty that is entirely Burke's fault. For a team in the rebuilding process, any opportunity to gain players for veterans is necessary, even if it is just for a change of scenery.
So here's to hoping that the perfect deal comes around and Kaberle waives his NTC. Even though it goes against Burke's 'morals', one can only hope that there is a bright spot in all of this. Otherwise it is going to be a long few more years until the Leafs will challenge to play beyond the second week of April.
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