Since you're gone the moonlight ain't so great

I wanted to wait a few days before writing the post I never wanted to write at all. In the meanwhile, a week has passed, the Leafs remain on fire, and, let's be honest, there isn't much left to be written about Tomas Kaberle that you haven't already read. Hell, there wasn't even any time to reflect on, or to mourn, Kabba's departure. A few hours after the trade was announced, there was Tomas, in Ottawa, having ditched blue and white, the only colours he'd ever worn, for white, black and gold. Twenty-four hours later, the post-Kaberle era was underway in Toronto, with the Leafs and Ottawa Senators doing their best, through 65 agonizing minutes and a shootout, to slap hockey in its face.

"[Tomas Kaberle] did not want to leave. He asked for an extension several times."

- Brian Burke

While I remain -- first, foremost, and always -- a supporter of the logo on the front of Toronto's sweater, it's impossible, over the years, to not become attached to certain names and numbers on the back of the jersey. Kaberle and his 15 were one of those names and numbers.

By now, you know how I feel about Kaberle. I wanted him to remain a Maple Leaf. More than that, I wanted him to retire a Maple Leaf. I believe he's got years of elite hockey left in him. Another contract's worth, at least. While Kaberle's game is not without its obvious shortcomings, I thought he was the perfect mentor for Luke Schenn. I certainly didn't find it a coincidence that Schenn was enjoying a rebound year while playing alongside Kaberle. And if there's one area where Schenn drastically needs to improve, it's with the puck. Who better than to mentor Schenn, the future captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, than Kaberle?

Don't get me wrong: I found the return for Kaberle nothing short of astounding. Phil Kessel was traded for two high first-round picks, both potentially top-10 picks, and a second-round pick. In exchange for Kaberle, Brian Burke received a 2008 first-round pick, 16th overall, in Joe Colborne, a late to-be-determined first-round pick in 2011, and a conditional second-round pick. Two firsts, and potentially a second. It's impossible to be unhappy with that haul. Not when it was known that Kaberle's list of teams he'd waive his no-trade clause for was one team long. Not when Joe Colborne's scored three goals in three games, plus one rather filthy marker in the shootout, for the Toronto Marlies.

Kaberle didn't have to agree to leave. Frustrated by the fact Burke did nothing about his advances, Kaberle could have used his no-trade clause and stayed put. He didn't. It became a meme on Twitter after the trade to Boston was announced, and remains just as important today: Thank you, Tomas.

Life goes on. Kaberle wears #12 now, and plays for the rival Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs have officially embarked on their yearly quest for the promised land: Eighth place in the Eastern Conference. But in the days since the trade, since Burke announced that Kaberle wanted nothing more to remain a Maple Leaf, I'm having a hard time buying in. Even as the Leafs slowly climb the standings. I understand why Kaberle had to go, why assets desperately needed to be recouped. But the fact Kaberle was never a Burke-type player, or a Ron Wilson-type player, while Mike Komisarek and Brett Lebda are, just doesn't sit well with me, even though I believe the Leafs, as a franchise, are headed in the right direction. I'm so confused. 

I'm emotional, obviously. Kaberle was the last link to days gone by; to better days. To Maple Leaf Gardens. To the playoffs. To winning. To the end of my teenage years, and my youthful early 20s. When everything -- even home-ice advantage in the first round, and division titles -- was possible. 

As ardent a Kaberle supporter as you'll ever find, I found comfort in what was written, tweeted, and said about #15 in the aftermath of the trade. He was appreciated. His accomplishments, available for one and all to see in the Leafs' record books, were applauded. Kaberle came out of nowhere to have a stellar Maple Leafs career. He goes down as one of the greatest offensive defenceman Toronto has ever seen. 

The post-Mats Sundin years have done wonders for Sundin's legacy. As the Maple Leafs continue to struggle to score goals, and struggle to find elite talent up front to play alongside Phil Kessel, more people are beginning to understand what a truly special and game-changing talent Sundin was.

I'm confident the same will happen with Kaberle, and the legacy he leaves behind. With time, more people will come to appreciate the way he was able to rush the puck up ice, and his ability to make that first pass. Kaberle's vision, patience, and innate hockey sense were extraordinary, and will be very difficult to replace. While Toronto's power play has struggled under Wilson (what hasn't struggled under Wilson?), Kaberle was never what was wrong with it.

Tomas Kaberle was always going to leave. The writing had been on the wall for years. But that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. Come playoff time, other than the Maple Leafs, I'll be watching and rooting for the Boston Bruins. And until Kaberle signs a new contract with Boston, or another team on July 1, I'll be hoping against hope that he returns. The door's always open, until it's closed.

Let nobody tell you otherwise: Kaberle's a winner. He wanted to win in Toronto. Like you and I, Kaberle knows that winning the Stanley Cup with the Maple Leafs is as good as it can possibly get.