Burke wants big return for Kaberle
Paul Hunter, The Toronto Star
Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2009So you want defenceman Tomas Kaberle from the Maple Leafs? You'd better be prepared to pay up.
Toronto general manager Brian Burke has repeatedly said he'd have to be blown away by an offer in order to trade the smooth-skating Kaberle before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline.
He defined that further today.
"It would be a minimum of a first-round pick, a guy that can play on our team right now and a top prospect," said Burke in a conference call with reporters.
Burke said he wouldn't divulge the entire details but he would be looking for a return similar to what he gave up to acquire Chris Pronger in 2006 when he was Anaheim's GM.
To get Pronger, Burke gave the Edmonton Oilers Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, two first-round picks and a second-round pick.
"It would be a package just like I paid when I got Chris Pronger from Edmonton," said Burke. "I'm not putting a price on it that I haven't paid myself in the past."
Burke has said he doesn't see a team stepping up to meet his demands but he would let Kaberle go if someone did. Kaberle, who turns 31 on Monday, is under contract for two more seasons at $4.25 million (U.S.) per season. The defenceman has frequently stated he does not want to leave the Leafs.
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