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.

Bruins 5-0 with Tomas Kaberle in lineup; Leafs also rolling along nicely

Bruins fans recall 1972 win streak powered by Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and John Bucyk


New Boston Bruins Defenceman Tomas Kaberle


The Boston Bruins have just returned from a 6-0 road trip, their first six game win streak since 1972, the year of Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Derek Sanderson, Fred Satnfield, John "Pie" McKenzie, Gerry Cheevers, Mike "Shaky" Walton, and their 2nd Stanley Cup. It may be more than coincidence that Tomas Kaberle joined the team on the second game of that Western swing.

I have followed the career of Kaberle since his rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it is not a stretch to claim that he was the best player on the team, every single season he played, including the rookie year. Perhaps I just saw glimpses of his promise, yet compared to the shoddiness around him, I always found him to be a crisp, clean pro passer, one of the best in the league, and the Boston Bruins are now major beneficiaries of his talents.






My feeling is that with Chara doing a lot of the heavy lifting and getting 20-22 minutes per game, Kaberle at 16 to 18 minutes a game (as he's been getting) will mean that he will be fresh and ready to go for the NHL playoffs, when some long matches may occur. The recent winning streak has been a Bruins team effort, from Rask and Thomas through the defence and up to the scorers, everyone's doing their part.

There may not be an Orr or Esposito among them, but the pieces are falling into place that can make the 2011 squad another team of destiny.


Meanwhile, back in Toronto, the Leafs find themselves just 7 points back of 7th place New York Rangers in the NHL East Conference playoff race.