Kaberle To Boston

BRUINS ACQUIRE TOMAS KABERLE 

To Bruins:
Tomas Kaberle

To Leafs:
Joe Colborne
1st Round Draft Pick in 2011 (Boston)
Conditional 2nd Round Draft Pick in 2012












Review:
The Bruins have been wheeling and dealing as of late and this deal is by far their most significant. By acquiring Kaberle, they have just become a legit threat to win the Stanley Cup. Kaberle is going to boost their power play tremendously and add to their already lethal offensive game. With both Kaberle and Chara manning the blue-line, the Bruins might have one of the best defense corps in the entire NHL. The points Kaberle will bring to the Boston Bruins line-up will be a great asset to the club. To this point he currently has 38 points so far this season, which is 7 points more than any other Boston defensemen. Although they get a terrific player, they had to pay a large price. The Bruins sent a package of Joe Colborne, their 1st round pick in 2011 and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2012 for Kaberle. The main piece the Leafs were able to bring in, was Joe Colborne. Colborne is a big 6'5 power forward, who should be regarded as a "blue chip" prospect. Aside from play in his own zone, he is a very polished and solid prospect. Within a year, he should be ready for everyday NHL time and he will almost definitely be a big-time contributor. So far this season he has put up 26 points in 55 games down in Providence of the AHL. Additionally the Leafs received the Bruins 1st Round Pick in 2011 in the deal (NOT THE LEAF PICK) which should be in the area of 25th to 30th overall. The Leafs now have two first round picks that should be in this area. Another part of the deal is that if the Bruins are able to re-sign Kaberle or if the Bruins make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, they will also be giving the Leafs their 2nd Round Draft Pick in 2012.


Winner Short-Term: Bruins, they have just become Stanley Cup contenders with this deal and they didn't have to surrender any players off of their NHL roster. Smart, Smart move.


Winner Long-Term: Even with maybe a slight edge to the Leafs. Depending on if Kaberle re-signs or not and on how far the Bruins end up going in the Playoffs, this is a very even deal down the road. All of these picks will be pretty late but getting a 1st rounder and a stud prospect in Colborne is a great return for the Leafs. Both sides should be happy with this deal now and in the future.