The market for a puck moving defender is not as big as some may have you believe. For the most part, teams who need a puck moving defender already signed them up.
D Sergei Gonchar
OTT < PIT
D Zbynek Michalek
PIT < PHX
D Derek Morris
PHX < PHX
D Paul Martin
PIT < NJ
D Henrik Tallinder
NJ < BUF
D Dan Hamhuis
VAN < NSH
Teams that could conceivably make a trade and require a puck moving defender are NSH, BUF, NJ, STL due to a loss of a player or lack of players.
NJ - Kovalchuk will most likely resign with New Jersey with NHL approval. They will not have the cap space to trade for Kaberle unless some magic happens. Never going to happen.
NSH - Ownership will not want to trade for a player for one year, even if it is a rental. Why did they let Hamhuis leave? Would Kaberle want to resign with NSH? Not likely.
BUF - Buffalo seems to be a very good fit for Kaberle and fills a need from the departed Tallinder. Toronto could use some assets from Buffalo. Tomas may resign with Buffalo since it is not far from Toronto. The question remains would Buffalo be willing to part with key players? Not likely.
STL - Does Toronto want or need any assets from this team. Not likely.
We know Burke will not lower his asking price to auction off Tomas Kaberle. The current demand for a puck moving defender is luke warm at best.
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