Zdeno Chara needs to step up for Boston to win Cup

Both Bruins and Leafs win with Kaberle deal

Tomas Kaberle 16:31 +7 - 18 games 8 Points

Zdeno Chara 28:17 +11 - 17 games 5 Points

Tomas Kaberle is gradually winning over Bruins fans, and the calls may soon be for Chara to pass occasionally (3 assists in 17 games!) rather than for Kaberle to shoot more. I'm not knocking Chara's massive role, as he has been a monster prowling in his own end. Something's gotta give, and the Bruins would be wise to try Chara and Kaberle together if they get behind by a couple of goals in any game.


"Genius" Brian Burke lands 2nd round draft pick from Bruins

The final shoe has dropped in the Bruins-Leafs trade for Tomas Kaberle. In addition to Boston's first round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, and the promising young centre Joe Colborne, the Leafs will now also receive the Bruins' 2012 2nd round pick. This option kicked in if Boston re-signed Kaberle, or if they reached the finals of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, which they have just done.

Though most believe Burke lost the Kessel trade, and that may indeed be the case, my own feeling is that a big move was required at the time and Phil Kessel became the second piece to go with Luke Schenn. The Dion Phaneuf trade added the third impact player and James Reimer rose through the minors to become the fourth.

Kaberle was moved at the perfect time and brought in a significant bounty for the Maple Leafs. Fans of the Boston Bruins have tempered criticism of the trade in recent days, and if the boys in black and gold bring Lord Stanley's Mug back to Beantown, then TK may actually ascend to local hero status.

Leaf fans know his crisp passes will be required against Vancuver's swift defense, while Bruins fans are learning this now, game by game.