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Source: Tomas Kaberle still in talks with Bruins, not close to a decision 07.04.11 at 10:31 am ET
By DJ Bean

According to a source familiar with the situation, free agent defenseman Tomas Kaberle remains in contact with the Bruins and is also talking to multiple other teams, but it isn’t likely that he’ll be signing with anyone in the immediate future.

It could be a while before Tomas Kaberle signs on the dotted line. (AP)

The source told WEEI.com on Monday that Kaberle is “not likely to make a decision until sometime next week.”

Kaberle finished last season with the Bruins, winning his first Stanley Cup after being acquired from the Maple Leafs in exchange for center Joe Colborne, the Bruins’ 2011 first-round pick, and their 2012 second-rounder. The 33-year-old finished last season with four goals and 43 assists for 47 points.

The puck-moving defenseman is one of two members of the Stanley Cup-winning lineup to hit unrestricted free agency. Forward Michael Ryder took a two-year, $7 million deal with the Stars on Friday, while Kaberle is currently the top unsigned defenseman. The Bruins certainly have the salary cap space to get a deal done, but he did not perform up to expectations after coming to the B’s on Feb. 18, so the team, as well as others, could be hesitant to give him an annual number close to the $4.25 cap hit he carried over the course of his last contract.

In the playoffs, Kaberle tied Dennis Seidenberg for the team lead amongst defenseman in points. Prior to coming to the Bruins, he played his entire career for the Maple Leafs, a tenure in which he was named an All-Star four times.

While Kaberle remains unsigned, multiple other defensemen received long-term deals last week, including Kevin Bieksa (five years, $23 million with the Canucks), Christian Ehrhoff (10 years, $40 million with the Sabres), James Wisniewski (six years, $33 million with the Blue Jackets) and Ed Jovanovski (four years, $16.5 million with the Panthers).

If the Bruins do not bring Kaberle back, 22-year-old Steven Kampfer, who played 38 games for the B’s in the 2010-11 season, would likely step in as the sixth defenseman for Boston.

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  • http://yahoo Ted

    Thomas Kaberle came over to the Bruins from Toronto for one purpose and one purpose only, and that`s to move the puck and score. Saying that, I think his value is consumerate with his abilities. A cut in pay with incentives would be fair. After all let`s not completely humilate an all star 4 times, tied for defenseman in points, and finally seemed to get the flow of the whole process called Bruins hockey in the end( the results are what counts, look at Ryders payday and he just poured it on in the playoffs, otherwise?). Look where he played for pete`s sake, and then coming to the army base of hockey, and you begin to get the drift. He`d be a wise investment for at least a one year contract under the auspices of the entire Bruins coaching staff, he`ll be everthing he needs to be to be a part of a champion!. Heck Benoit Pouliot is another supposed non heart beat like Horton, Ha,Ha on the stereo typing of everything the Bruins touch that turns to gold just about. Dan Paille anyone? Don`t throw Kaberle away, drag him back into the fold, and see what happens. He deserves the benefit of the doubt based upon how he adapted with as many games he played in Bostons defensive scheme. He picked up on the D aspect then started inserting the o aspect, yet no matter, incentives are like candy or are they?

  • Chris

    I hope they keep him around. The media have overblown the “under-performance” aspect of Kaberle.If you watched Bruins hockey all season (and the last couple of seasons) you know the difference between how the Bruins moved the puck after they acquired him – and I’m not just talking about the PP. They had a very static set-up in the offensive zone. But most fans and a hell of a lot of media don’t pay attention until playoff time – so these important differences go un-noticed. The Bruins have some talent coming up in defence – but they aren’t ready yet. Kabs is an experienced defenseman and given the opportunity to go through training camp would do good for the him and the team.

    Anyone blaming Kaberle for the Bruins poor powerplay doesn’t know anything about hockey. There was a long list of problems with it – the biggest being that the forwards seemed to have two left footed skates on as soon as they were a man up. So if the media would shut-up and the fairweather fans stop talking like they know something – maybe the Bruins can hang-on to a solid defenseman that has the potential to help this team for the next couple of years.

  • Matt D.

    I think if the B’s can pick him up for under 4 million and a short term contract he would be worth the investment. I think he will play better if he starts playing for the B’s in October rather than April.

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