Toronto Maple Leafs Tomas Kaberle (R) puts a shot on goal against the New York Islanders during the third period of their NHL game in Uniondale, New York February 8, 2011.SHANNON STAPLETON
The Tomas Kaberle trade watch continues to heat up.
According to multiple reports on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman is closer to becoming a Boston Bruin as the two teams have begun to discuss a potential deal.
Because he has a no-trade clause, Kaberle would have to approve a trade, but Boston is considered one of the two or three Eastern Conference destinations he is amenable to going to.
A 12-year veteran with nearly 900 games played as a Leaf, Kaberle will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and isn't expected to re-sign in Toronto. Dealing him before the Feb. 28 trade deadline will be Leafs general manager Brian Burke's last chance to acquire an asset for the 32-year-old Czech blueliner.
Kaberle will likely become the third veteran Leaf to be traded this month after defenceman Francois Beauchemin and winger Kris Versteeg were moved in the past week.
"We don't want to distract the team or anything like that," Kaberle told reporters in Boston after Tuesday's game. "If I'm no [longer]needed on this team then we can talk about it. Obviously we've still got 12 days to go and like I said right now it's nothing to talk about."
Burke made another minor move on Tuesday afternoon, landing winger Aaron Voros from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick. The Ducks will only receive the draft pick if Voros re-signs in Toronto.
Voros was assigned to the Toronto Marlies after the deal was made.