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Leaf Rumours

Kings GM Dean Lombardi was just on the Fan. I wasn't really listening that closely, but near the end I did hear talking about the young core, and listing a group of young guys (including Simmonds) where he said, "these guys aren't going anywhere."
 
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This man said it best..
 
burke is showing some serious disrespect to kaberle. enough with this public posturing. he shouldn't be treating a guy who has worn the A for the past 5 years, been with the team for 12 years and repeatedly taken bargain deals with the leafs like a commodity like this. he doesn't deserve this.
 
... I almost never feel sorry millionaire athletes; and this is no exception. Also, I think Burke has been pretty quiet on the subject, as much as he can be, all things considered.
 
I dunno if that's 'disrespect' or simply part of the business.

Kaberle has been a trade rumor subject for the past few years, simply due to the fact he's a top offensive defenseman, he's signed to a cheap contract, and his NTC is lifted during the summer.

And Burke has said from the get go he's listening to offers but not actively looking to trade him. I think better that's fair, and I think Burke's always told it like it is. Burke understands hockey is an entertainment business, and as he's always said, he makes himself available to the media, and give them something to write about because he understands everybody involved with the game needs to sell the game too.

I really have no problem with it, especially considering it's only a few weeks in a year this happens.
 
i don't feel BAD for kaberle, i just think it's bad optics. he isn't increasing his trade value any and all he is doing is increasing the likelihood that kaberle tests free agency. it's like he's sort of taking advantage of kaberle saying his desire is to stay... but based on the treatment he has received by fletcher and now burke i don't know why he wouldn't at least entertain the idea of leaving (even if he were to ultimately re-sign).
 
msun30 said:
burke is showing some serious disrespect to kaberle. enough with this public posturing. he shouldn't be treating a guy who has worn the A for the past 5 years, been with the team for 12 years and repeatedly taken bargain deals with the leafs like a commodity like this. he doesn't deserve this.
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
Remember the curse of the Bambino? Well, the treatment of Kaberle is heinous in my opinion. He is EXACTLY what every team needs. And we BEING the worst team in the NHL, can't wait to see what we get for getting rid of him.

Its sick, and its soooooo MLSE. (Most Losing Sports Ever)
 
well to be fair, Kabs is still here, Burke is holding out for a top return and hes even said he would look to resign him.

lets wait for something to actually happen before jumping off the cliff
 
You guys are WAY over reacting here.

If Kabby feels bad or feels more tempted to test free agency because Burke acknowledge he is listening to offers then well, too freaking bad.

What is the GM of a 29th place team supposed to do? Tell the world he isn't gonna even listen to trade proposals for his most valued trade bait?

This is all part of the game. You don't hear your name in trade rumors only if 1 you really suck or 2 you have a really bad contract or 3 you are really old
 
number17 said:
You guys are WAY over reacting here.

If Kabby feels bad or feels more tempted to test free agency because Burke acknowledge he is listening to offers then well, too freaking bad.

What is the GM of a 29th place team supposed to do? Tell the world he isn't gonna even listen to trade proposals for his most valued trade bait?

This is all part of the game. You don't hear your name in trade rumors only if 1 you really suck or 2 you have a really bad contract or 3 you are really old
Click to expand...

the point isn't that he's hearing his name in trade rumours.

it's his gm's idiotic assertions to the media.

all burke has to say is 'we are exploring all options.'

i'm not asking him to be gayishly vague like jfj, but come on -- saying that he has 6 offers on the table but 'none are good' is stupid and it's getting tired.

trade him or don't. stop feeding the media monster. you gain nothing from it and all it does is risk alienating a player that shouldn't be alienated.
 
I think some of us are over-reacting on this.

Everybody knows Burke is listening to offers, and Burke's repeatedly admit he likes Kaberle and he would like to re-sign him to an extension, but as a GM he wouldn't be doing his job if he doesn't listen to offers. That much is public knowledge.

So does Kaberle feel that 'disrespected' because Burke said he has 6 offers on the table but he still likes Kabby more than all 6 of them, as compared to if he gives you a partyline like "We're considering all options." ??? I don't think he does, and I don't think he should.

And Burke's take on the media, which I agree with, is the media is not your enemy. The enemy is your friend. He uses the media to 1. reach his fans, 2. sell the game, and he fully understands hockey is a game afterall, and teams need to sell it, and 3. every now and then, the media can be used as a tool to the rest of the league.

I remember Burke telling this story in an interview. When he was the GM of the Whalers, there was this rumor that Bobby Holik was on the block, some even said he's already been traded. Holik heard that, and called Burke. Burke told him "No, you have not been traded, and I am not shopping you around neither. You're staying here." Next thing Burke actually called up to the radio station to kill the trade rumor. During the interview with the station, he mentioned while he has no intention of trading Holik, nobody is untouchable, and if the right offer comes along he would drive him to the airport personally.

As soon as he got off the phone with the radio station, his phone rang, and it was Lou at the other line. Lou asked him "I heard you on the radio. You said Holik could be traded at the right price. So, is Holik available?"

So that's how the 2 sides started talking trade, and within a couple of days Holik was traded to NJ. Holik called Burke a liar because Burke told him he's not trading him, but the whole deal developed because Burke went on the radio station.

Any player will tell you Burke is a man who treats his players with respect, but at the same time Burke understands hockey is a game, and he understands in the entertainment business you need to sell yourself. Don't tell me as a fan you wouldn't rather hear Burke tell you "I have 6 offers on the table but I haven't seen anything good enough yet." than the JFJ partyline. If you are a player making $4.5M a year who feels 'disrespected' because Burke says that, well, too bad.
 
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Burke's doing what's best for himself (and the team). Just like Kaberle did what's best for himself by not waiving his no trade in the past. It's all part of the business.
 
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