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Kaberle = Superstar

Editor's Note: The General takes a look at the Leafs' forgotten superstar in a great fanpost.

Congratulations to the Toronto Maple Leafs for their 6-5 shoot-out victory last night over the Devils. Congratulations to Toskala for the win and for killing the Cujo-switch experiment. Congratulations to Niklas Hagman for the beautiful, memorable winner, and getting a laugh from Marty too. And congratulations to Wilson and the entire team for showing that hustle and perserverance really do pay off.

Star-divide

But mostly I want to congratulate Tomas Kaberle. For being a superstar. I've known Tomas was for a long time, but I admit, this year I was beginning to wonder about him. I wasn't worried that he'd be a bad defenceman - Tomas will never be a bad hockey player - I was just worried that without Sundin and McCabe, he might have lost some of his extra-special-ness, and had become just a good defenceman who was okay in a lot of situations. Heading into last night's game, Van Ryn was the leading Leaf defenders with 6 points, while Kablere had just a goal and an assist for only 2 points. In the win against the Devils, Tomas did pick up 2 assists, but it was during the shoot-out where Kaberle showed he still has superstar stuff.

(3:27) Have a good look at this moment in the shoot-out. When Kaberle steps up, the Leafs are down 1-0 and down to their final shot. Kaberle needs to score or they lose. He knows it. Hagman didn't have the same pressure. If he had missd, the Devils would still have had to score. If Tomas misses, the game is over, the Devils will celebrate, and reporters will say yet again that the Leafs couldn't do it. And to keep that from happening, Kaberle, alone, needs to beat the mighty Brodeur.

Watch it again. (3:27) With the weight of the game on his shoulders, Kaberle takes two soft, casual steps, and then puts his head down and takes 4 quick power-strides up to centre. There's a smooth, gentle stutter-glide as he picks up the puck, and then he's back in high gear again as he hits the blue line. Arching to his right to set up the angle for the left-hand shot, Kaberle explodes towards the goal with amazing speed, and then simply beats Brodeur with hands that were faster then Marty's pads. And the shoot-out continued.

The Devils came close but the Leafs prevailed, thanks to Hagman, and then Toskala. But let's not overlook Kaberle's excellent contribution in this one, keeping the game - and our hopes - alive, with a big-time, superstar performance.

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

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Comments

Display:

Damn!

Great fanpost but they took down your video!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Oct 30, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess they re-loaded it because it was saying that it was gone.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Oct 30, 2008 1:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Next question: who’s they? Have you got names?

Cheers, PPP!

by general borschevsky on Oct 30, 2008 1:24 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you sound like a journalist...

which means you’ve gotta move out of mom’s basement!

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.

by blurr1974 on Oct 30, 2008 1:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But I love being able to wear my pajamas and slippers all day!

by general borschevsky on Oct 30, 2008 1:35 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

then stop looking for facts...

all these hard hitting questions. “who are they?” " do they have names?"

If i wanted journalistic integrity, i’d be slumming it with cox-smith.

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.

by blurr1974 on Oct 30, 2008 1:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

instantrimshot.com

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Oct 30, 2008 4:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

General

I love that Kabby came in on Brodeur fast, with a ton of speed, and he looked confident as hell. He knew the game was on the line, but he knew he could handle the pressure. That’s clutch.

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Oct 30, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed

It was his speed that impressed me most, but also the way he went at Brodeur, determined to beat him.

by general borschevsky on Oct 30, 2008 12:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i'm confused

i thought this was a post about Frank. See, the Leafs have no superstars, they’re all marginal third liners and uniterested vets playing out the string on D…

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.

by blurr1974 on Oct 30, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was a little concerned about his start, but was guessing it had more to do with the vets taking a bit longer to get used to Wilson’s system.

Kabby is a cool customer.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Oct 30, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Am I the only fan not impressed?

I can see all your points about Kaberle but I am one of those that is not sold on him. Like don’t get me wrong, he can have some serious offensive skills but as a defenseman, I can appreciate offensive flair only second to his defensive abilities. I think much of his “soft” defensive play gets vastly overlooked when it comes to Kaberle due to the razzle dazzle he displays night in and night out with his offensive skills.

...

by puckbuddy on Oct 30, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes

His defensive game will never be along the lines of a bigger defenceman that uses his size and strength to clear the net. Kaberle’s game is based on finesse which sets him apart. His offensive game definitely outpaces his defensive game but there are very few better than him with the puck.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Oct 30, 2008 2:49 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He had quite the boost in stock when the red-line pass rule was taken out, and his outlet passes have continued to improve as well.

Although, on the negative side, perhaps it was Kaberle’s nifty passing to McCabe on the PP that helped Bryan load up with all those goals that one season, thus increasing his perceived value before every team in the league had him fully scouted. So, Kaberle being TOO GOOD is to blame for McCabe’s huge contract and eventual bust?

Nahh.. I kid!

by LeafFanInVan on Oct 30, 2008 2:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ok

I’ll still stick to my guns and say when it comes to Kaberle. I don’t see him in the same (very) high regard that you guys do. If only Kaberle closed down guys in defensive zone (which he still doesn’t) block shots (huh what’s that) and shoot (which surprisingly he is more) I might not have too many issues with him. As a smooth skater as he is, his speed is average, IMO.

I think all top defensemen should be defensive minded first, offense second. His play without the puck is unfortunately short of what I would want from someone that receives as much praise as he does. With the puck, I cant really disagree that he is a smooth and crafty puck mover but its when he needs to get the puck or stop the opposition that I have faults with Kaberle.

...

by puckbuddy on Oct 31, 2008 1:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes, you are the only one not impressed. enjoy your solitude.

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Oct 30, 2008 3:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kaberle dicked around with the puck last night before throwing a suicide pass to Schenn who was caught between Halischuk and the referee at the time.

It led to NJ’s second goal.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Oct 30, 2008 3:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His passing game

is pretty awesome though, you get the odd blemish here and there but he is clearly one of the team’s best passers. Ever since they got rid of that silly 2-line passing rule he’s really show-cased his talent, he’s pretty good at setting up breakaways

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Oct 30, 2008 3:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wah wah wah!

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Oct 30, 2008 4:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i'm not saying

he’s the perfect d-man who will never make a mistake. of course he’s got his faults. but he’s the sickest d-man we’ve had over the last 10 years, hands down.

he’s prone to mistakes just like anyone, but the good outweighs the bad, ten fold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eni3tZdeaKg

Yes, I’m listening to it right now.

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Oct 30, 2008 4:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, I’m listening to it right now.

I thought that was kind of a given

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Oct 30, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you know

me so well LD

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Oct 30, 2008 4:16 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kabby has been a great mentor for Schenn too. Him and Luke have been a great pair so far in my opinion. I think playing with a guy like Tomas has been one of the reasons Luke has really progressed quicker than most people expected.

The Maple Leafs News Ticket. Yes, its another Leafs blog.

by Drake15 on Nov 1, 2008 12:39 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Welcome

Thanks for joining.

And you’d be surprised! It’s only another Leafs blog now. Once upon a time there weren’t many.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 1, 2008 9:31 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No problem. The General introduced me to the PPP after finding my blog. Great site!

The Maple Leafs News Ticket. Yes, its another Leafs blog.

by Drake15 on Nov 1, 2008 3:49 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cheers

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 1, 2008 10:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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