Boston Bruins acquisition Tomas Kaberle is already fitting in with his new team. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images
Tomas Kaberle walked into the Air Canada Centre for the umpteenth time this morning, but for the first time, he was in the visitor's dressing room.
Now a Boston Bruin after almost 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kaberle spoke very briefly with the media today about his return.
"Obviously it's a different feeling," Kaberle said. "I've got mixed feelings still what it's going to be like tonight. I'm an enemy tonight and I have to do my best for Boston and hopefully we'll get two points tonight.
"It's mixed feelings, obviously. Being here for so long and being in the opposition room right now is difficult, but you know, everybody's done it before who's gotten traded."
Kaberle was dealt away on Feb. 18 for the Bruins' 2011 first-round pick, prospect Joe Colborne and a conditional second-round pick that the Leafs will get if he re-signs in Boston or if they advance to the Stanley Cup final.
Kaberle, who has no goals and three assists with the Bruins so far, is looking forward to playing in the postseason for the first time since 2004.
"It's a totally different atmosphere," he said. "It's faster and every goal means a lot. It'll be nice to be there again."
Bruins coach Claude Julien said he feels Kaberle will be pumped up to play in Toronto again.
"I haven't heard him say anything bad about this organization," Julien said. "I think he enjoyed his time here, felt he'd been treated well here in Toronto and has a lot of respect for the organization. I don't think he's disappointed to be back here as much as excited."
The Leafs didn't skate today, but a few talked about how strange it'll be to see Kaberle in a different uniform yesterday after practice.
"I'm sure it'll be exciting and a lot of nerves for him coming back here," Clarke MacArthur said. "He did such a great job for a lot of years here so I'm sure the fans are going to appreciate him. I know he loved playing here and it'll be a good game."
The goaltenders tonight are expected to be James Reimer for the Leafs and Tim Thomas for the Bruins.