What kind of recognition does Kaberle deserve?

[Al14]

He could have had a boatload more points if hadn't honored that no shooting clause in his contract.

I think Kaberle should be honored. Just not sure how far it should be taken.

 

[middletoe]

I don't know if he should be honoured in the way we honour our "greats", though seeing the stats kind of reminds me how solid he was.

Tomas' problem was that he made a lot of really good passes look like they were no big deal (especially in the d-zone). Almost the only way to notice this was to see what other D-men would do when put in the same, or similar, situation. What he made look like nothing, most other D would struggle with.

He was also really good at gaining the blueline. Kinda made that look like no big deal sometimes too.

I still don't get the 1337 l33t thing.

 

[pheasant]

Kabs deserves recognition of being a loyal serving Leaf.

Kabs deserves recognition of waving his NTC so that Leafs can get batter

Kabs was all class and was a better D-Man than Homophobic Sluroof who got the "C" instead of Kabs. It was a friggen joke and it still is!

I agree completely.

The first time the post-Sundin Maple Leafs hit the ice, it should have been with Kaberle wearing the 'C'. Going without a captain for a while (I won't comment on it eventually going it to Dion) was an insult to the longest tenured player, an all-star, and a player that was a captain/alternate on the international stage for the Czech Republic many times.

He deserved a better send-off from the fans in Toronto, too. For his last year or so as a Leaf, all anyone talked about was trade speculation. He shouldn't be on Legends Row or anything. But he was worlds better than all the other Kubinas, Aulies, Komisareks, and Coliacovos we've seen on the Blue-and-White blue line.

If he is willing, he should get a video montage and some pointless title like 'Ambasador' or whatever.

 

[pcruz]

He was sort of a poor man's Niedermayer, wasn't he? The Leafs transition game has never been the same without him. Even though Gardiner and Rielly show a ton of promise, no one really brings the puck up as calmly and efficiently and error free as he did. Nor do we have a power play puck distributor like him.

I believe that I have alluded to the similarities in the transition game between Kaberle and Rielly. It would have been really great if Morgan had been able to have 1 on 1 sessions with Kaberle as he was one of the premier puck-moving defensemen of the last generation. The way he shook off pressure is something we haven't seen in a very long time. Also, comparing the physical play between the two, you'll notice that neither is bruising or intimidating, yet Kaberle was pretty solid in his own zone due to angling the opponents, keeping an active stick and utilizing his superior skating ability. All tools Rielly will rely on.

 

[eddieO]

If we had more Kaberle's I have no doubt we would have won the Cup by now.

What I mean: late round picks, drafted and developed in our system so they're affordable contributors to our team. Kaberle was a fantastic dman in the sense that he did his job, was underrated and helped ES, PP units.

Our current management should look back and learn from that.

 

[ImpartialNHLfan]

He should be honoured with a statue in Port Carling with the other members of the Muskoka 5.

Nearly spit my coffee out reading this lol. That bridge should be renamed after Kabs.

Joking aside I never seen anyone carry a puck out like he did. Always made it look easy no matter how many guys came at him.

 

[LeafsNation75]

The last stat is surprising. I could swear he went years between shots

I remember when him not shooting the puck was a big deal a time during the 2004 World Cup of Hockey when Canada played the Czech Republic in the Semi-Finals, the Czech's had the puck on the Power Play and Kaberle got the puck and shot it right away, they then scored on the rebound. The first thought that came to my mind was wow Kaberle actually shot it for once and very fast.

 

[LeafsNation75]

If he is willing, he should get a video montage and some pointless title like 'Ambasador' or whatever.

During his first game back in Toronto with the Bruins he was given a video montage of his career with the Leafs.

 

[HarrisonFord]

He was on his way to becoming one worth honouring until Jackass Janssen....after that IMO he was never the same.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDUNn8q4qo

I suggest watching this after watching that gross hit, it's cleansing for the soul

 

[Lauro]

I remember reading a long article on him on nhl.com in his first season at one of my first visits to this thing called internet.

He was my favourite Leaf for a very long time.

 

[Tak7]

One of the very best late Leaf draft picks in several years, and deserves a ton of credit.

Not only was he very effective on the ice, but it never felt like the market and expectations and attentions ever really got to him - making a mockery of last weeks talk of how "tough" this market is

 

[William Hylander]

He would definitely have a place on the All-time best leafs team. Might be as a third pairing powerplay specialist but he's definitely up there.

 

[Mindrust]

Bobble head night at most.

LOL I think this comment deserves a bobble head night at least.

 

[KapG]

Tomas' problem was that he made a lot of really good passes look like they were no big deal (especially in the d-zone). Almost the only way to notice this was to see what other D-men would do when put in the same, or similar, situation. What he made look like nothing, most other D would struggle with.

He was also really good at gaining the blueline. Kinda made that look like no big deal sometimes too.

I still don't get the 1337 l33t thing.

Elite -- leet --- l33t ---- 1337

 

[Christ]

His amazing passes made Bryan McCabe a rich man

One could also argue that McCabe's unreal shot made Kaberle a rich man. Those two made each other far better players.

 

[hockeystick89]

Shoooooooooooooooooot

This is honestly the most common word I had heard when I was a kid watching the Leafs. I watched them play every Saturday with my dad. Every time Kaberle was in position to shoot the puck he would pass it away

Every time one of the point men got the puck my dad would yell "shoot", especially if it was Kaberle just because he would always pass it off it off.

That said, he skated with the puck in a way Gardiner did for a bit, but doesn't anymore

 

[Gigi Elle]

Tomas' problem was that he made a lot of really good passes look like they were no big deal (especially in the d-zone). Almost the only way to notice this was to see what other D-men would do when put in the same, or similar, situation. What he made look like nothing, most other D would struggle with.

He was also really good at gaining the blueline. Kinda made that look like no big deal sometimes too.

I still don't get the 1337 l33t thing.

True enough, especially in his often effortless passing.

 

[Gigi Elle]

Elite -- leet --- l33t ---- 1337

Ahhhhh. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm the last person who knew what this was.

 

[shelf]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=401142

Here is a poll from 2007. Kaberle was ranked #5 for defenceman by us here at HFBOARDS

 

[LV*]

One of the best if not the best, dmen in modern Maple Leafs history.

 

[KapG]

Ahhhhh. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm the last person who knew what this was.

No problem man! Just some nerd talk, you know?

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

What kind? I dont know but he deserve a lot of it anyway. Great Leaf.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

The man carried himself with a quiet dignity on and off the ice. Really wish the Leafs had more guys like TKabs

 

[yubbers]

We did. They traded him for Polak

 

[ACC1224]

The man carried himself with a quiet dignity on and off the ice. Really wish the Leafs had more guys like TKabs

He certainly was teflon. Not sure how he escaped the Muskoka 5 criticism that the others received.

Great Leaf though, no doubt. He and McCabe were very good together.