Canes buyout F. Kaberle

July 28, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

No new free agent news to report today. So, guess that Tanguay rumor was just that at this juncture. That’s why I reported it that way. Cause you never know. Though I do think he’d be a decent fit in the Coyote lineup. We’ll have to wait and see.

The only real news excluding Sidney Crosby’s 22nd birthday Stanley Cup extravaganza Aug.7 in his hometown of Nova Scotia, was expected with the Hurricanes buying out defenseman Frantisek Kaberle, who was set to earn $2.2 million this season. Instead, he’ll receive two-thirds ($1.47 M) over the next two seasons to sit out. Unless he can find a new team.

The 35 year-old defenseman missed 52 games last season while registering eight points in 30 contests. He did get into seven postseason games notching an assist under Paul Maurice but basically was an extra whose time diminished.

The older brother of the Leafs’ Tomas Kaberle once was a solid blueliner who could move the puck effectively while contributing offensively. In his first season in Raleigh after returning from Europe, he posted a career high 44 points (6-38-44 in 77 GP) during their march to the Stanley Cup. That included 13 points in the playoffs. Not bad. But two of the last three seasons, he’s been banged up missing a combined 107 games in 2006-07 and 2008-09. The lone exception was 2007-08 when he got into 80 contests and tallied 22 assists.

With Kaberle so injury prone, it looks like he might be done. However, if a club could use a serviceable player to help out the blueline, they could give him a call as it would probably be a bargain. Maybe he’ll just return home to the Czech Republic.

For the Hurricanes, it was an easy choice. Especially with Jim Rutherford adding Andrew Alberts to replace Dennis Seidenberg and reacquiring Aaron Ward- adding them to a D that features Joni Pitkanen, Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo and Niclas Wallin. It looks like that will be their six with the Carolina GM hinting that RFA Anton Babchuk will not be back.

Wonder if one Glen Sather will give him a call on Babchuk pending Nikolai Zherdev’s arbitration result Friday. Stay tuned.