Kaberle stronger, optimistic
Distractions and shoulder woes from last season have been removed
By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun
Six summers ago no one had heard of Tomas Kaberle, before an eye-popping training camp established him on the Maple Leafs defence.
He's off the radar again, caught between his deficient play and Toronto's historic inability to draft, develop or hang on to quality defencemen. By the end of the 2004 playoffs, the Leafs' best offensive assignments were going to the likes of Brian Leetch, Bryan McCabe and Ken Klee. Kaberle, who had a career-worst three regular-season goals, was in the chorus line with Aki Berg and Bryan Marchment.
But the quiet Czech could have another surprise autumn in store for coach Pat Quinn -- if there is a National Hockey League schedule, of course. There looked to be a little extra muscle up top as he dressed following the Czech Republic's morning skate here yesterday in Stockholm. And later, he played well in the third period as the Czechs' rally fell short in a 4-3 loss to Sweden in a World Cup game.
"I was doing the same things (last season) as before, but things weren't going in the same direction," Kaberle said. "With good chances, I scored only three goals and lost more chances than I made. I hurt both my shoulders (he missed a total of 11 games). I was unlucky in the playoffs, but we're in a new year and you set yourself for new (achievements)."
Gone is the cloud of contract negotiations that added to Kaberle's woes last season. Instead of cashing in this summer, as many well-paid Leafs veterans were by general manager John Ferguson Jr., Kaberle's base was increased by just $180,000 US. Granted, he won't be moonlighting at the Prague McDonalds at $2.93 million a year.
Agent Rick Curran chose to avoid the difficult salary arbitration process, fashioning a two-year incentive-laden deal with Ferguson that will reward Kaberle if he returns to the 40-plus points numbers that have marked the 26-year-old's career.
"The problem in going before an arbitrator is that person might not recognize those (hidden qualities) about Tomas," Curran said.
Kaberle, who wanted to skip the arbitration if for no other reason than to avoid upsetting his World Cup training schedule, is counting on showing everyone what Curran means this season.
He took only one week off from training to be ready for the season.
"Maybe I'll try to be a bit more offensive when I get the chance," he said, knowing that trait is what endeared him to Quinn in the first place. "Hopefully, I'll get more chances on the power play and things like that. But I won't (change my game) that much.
"When you get your new contract, you're settled. You only have to think about good things on the ice."
Kaberle seems better adjusted to the arrival of Leetch and the American's inevitable role as the club's designated offensive defenceman, likely in tandem with McCabe.
"Leetch is a good player, a great guy and I respect that," Kaberle said. "When I got the chance to play (after his ice time and profile were cut by Leetch's arrival), I tried to play hard, whether it was 20 or 25 minutes a game. I can always learn from a guy like Brian. When he's done playing, I'll take something from his game."
Negotiations with Curran to get Marchment back have been inconclusive and, with Karel Pilar yet to play a full season, Kaberle quickly could retain his favoured status.
"We only had a few guys go in the off-season, and it leaves a lot of older guys and younger guys," Kaberle said.
"Everyone said last year we had a good team. The owner, the general manager and the coach are probably thinking 'try one more year and maybe we can do it.' When you play with guys three or four years, you know what you can expect from them and they know what you can do."
