For the better part of two full seasons, veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle has seen his name appear in just about every trade rumor surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs. TSN is reporting that the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are set to announce a deal involving the talented puck moving defenseman, which will see the Maple Leafs receive Bruins prospect Joe Colborne, the Bruins’ first round draft choice in the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional draft choice (believed to be the Bruins second rounder in 2012) in return. Kaberle, who hates the spotlight, had hinted that he was willing to waive his no-trade clause if he was dealt to Boston. Rumors started early this week that Kaberle had told Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke that he would accept a trade to Boston and only Boston

Several media outlets are reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Kris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers for a first and third round pick round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Burke said that he has already offered the third round draft choice for a plyer that could help the Leafs immediately, also lamenting that he had not given up on making the playoffs as the trading of Francois Beauchemin and Versteeg may indicate. Burke traded for Versteeg this summer, sending prospects Chris DiDomenico, Phillippe Paradis and Viktor Stalberg to the Chicago Blackhawks. Vesrteeg was seen as a possible fit on Toronto’s first line, but failed to click with sniper Phil Kessel, causing Versteeg to fall to the second unit and then to Toronto’s third line. By trading Versteeg Toronto will save $3,083,333 in cap space next season,

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has traded veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the Anaheim Ducks in return for a package that includes forward Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect Jake Gardiner and a conditional fourth round draft pick in 2013. For Anaheim, they get a player that they are familiar with—a veteran Defenseman that can step into the lineup and give their team upwards of 25 minutes per game if need be. Criticized for giving away the puck too often and looking slow on occasion, Beauchemin registered two goals and 12 points through 54 games with the Maple Leafs this season, while posting a respectable minus four rating on a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of the net. Beauchemin has one year left on his contract which carries a cap hit of $3,800,000. Anaheim fans remember

In a move that can hardly be called unexpected, the Toronto Maple Leafs have chosen to send Rookie forward Nazem Kadri down to the American Hockey League where he is expected to continue to develop his game with the Toronto Marlies. Through 17 games Kadri registered six assists, but he struggled to grasp the defensive side of the game, something that keeps many young forwards out of the NHL. Originally selected seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kadri (who struggled at the rookie tournament) made a strong case to make the big club in training camp (especially in the later games), only to find himself sent to the AHL for seasoning. The lingering issue was Kadri’s lack of defensive play and his penchant for turning over the puck in the neutral zone—ok, maybe in

Numerous media sources are reporting that Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter is stepping down with assistant GM Jay Feaster taking over a team that has failed to produce. Many fans were clamoring to see Sutter fired during the off-season—an off-season that saw Sutter make a number of questionable moves, including the signings of Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay to contracts when they had failed to produce in Calgary before. Feaster, who won a Stanley Cup as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s GM, is expected to keep Brent Sutter in the head coaching position, while Duane Sutter’s future as director of player personnel also looks safe, for now. The Flames own a 16-18-3 record, not a disaster, but hardly what many Flames Flames expected from their club. When you look at the overall picture the Flames look to be in trouble,

As Team Canada gets set to take on the Russians this afternoon just about every Canadian on the planet will be watching. The World Junior Championship has become a Christmas tradition for many Canadians and for some is bigger than the Stanley Cup. Canada’s record at the WJC is astounding. Since it’s inception in 1977, Canada has brought home a total of 26 medals, including 15 gold, seven silver and four bronze—second all-time to Russia’s/Soviet Union’s 28 medals. Canada is the only team to win five consecutive gold medals, a feat they accomplished twice—1993-1997 and, most recently, 2005-2009. The 2010 WJC ended with Team USA defeating Team Canada 6-5 in overtime. John Carlson’s overtime winner will not be forgotten by those that donned the red and white for Canada last year, nor does it sit lightly with this years Team.