• Moderators, please send me a PM if you are unable to access mod permissions. Thanks, Habsy.

Leaf Rumours

Burke did think about trading Kaberle, but that's not to suggest he wouldn't try to replace part of Kaberle's game if he indeed trades him.

As for Exelby, Fletcher said this is a player he wanted 2 yrs ago ... so I don't think they took Exelby only because he's a 'placeholder'.
 
Burke isn't Fletcher.

Lets put it this way.

They traded Kubina to Atlanta and not elsewhere because they would take him without giving back significant salary.

Not because if they dealt with Atlanta they could get Garnet Exelby.
 
You know what, you guys are probably right.

He liked Exelby so much, he traded Kubina for him. He didn't want the cap room. And he's such a big fan that he's going to bring him back next year too.

That does make sense.
 
Not sure you can say Burke rushed the Kubina trade.

He had months, including draft day and beyond, to get it done.

It's not like it was a deadline deal spurred a day or two before by a trade demand.
 
The fact that Burke thought that Kubina's capsapce was better used on Komisarek doesn't say much, either.
 
The Kubina trade cant be considered a salary dump if you replace him with a lesser player in Komi/Beauch. That is the part I dont get...sure if you are dumping salary to get a better player via UFA...makes sense.

Of the moves Burke has made....Kubina is the worst IMO.

I think the leafs D would be better with:

Kaberle
Kubina
Schenn
White
Komi/Bea
Stralman/Gun/waiver wire
Finger
 
He's hurt. He's a UFA at the end of they year. He was another salary dump the Leafs took on to dump a legit #1 defenseman.
 
I think the thing that we have to recognize with the Kubina trade is that was simply the best the Leafs were going to do for him.

Whether you're satisfied with the trade or not, that's the bottom line. Burke didn't want him on the team any more and took what he could get for him without having to take significant salary in return.

Let's not forget that on deadline day 2008 Fletcher agreed to trade him for Kyle McLaren... and his $3mn contract.
 
Back
Top