Boston Bruins defenseman Tomas Kaberle signs with Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-year, $12.75 million deal
After losing key forward, Michael Ryder, to Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, in an attempt to let its free agents test the market, lost key defenseman, Tomas Kaberle, on Tuesday as he signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with Carolina Hurricanes.
The deal was finalised moments after Carolina traded its own veteran defenseman, Joe Corvo, to Boston Bruins in place of a fourth-round pick in next year’s National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
It is speculated that this happened to allow Hurricanes to clear up salary cap space to make way for Kaberle.
Hurricanes' general manager, Jim Rutherford, was pleased to make the announcement on Tuesday evening.
"Tomas is one of the top puck-moving defensemen in the NHL and power-play specialist", said Hurricanes' GM, Jim Rutherford. "He has had a good career and is now a Stanley Cup champion. We welcome him to Carolina and look forward to his contributions to the
Hurricanes".
Kaberle was in his first season with Boston and played a big part in Bruins' first Stanley Cup victory in over 39 years.
After being traded by his original draft team, Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he spent 12 seasons, to Boston Bruins, he potted nine points, a goal and 8 assists, in 24 games.
Including the statistics with Maple Leafs, Kaberle played all 82 games for a total of 47 points, 4 goals and 43 assists.
The 33-year-old from Rakovnik, Czech Republic had 11 assists with Boston in all 25 games of Bruins' Stanley Cup stretch during the 2011 NHL Playoffs.
According to Boston Bruins' general manager, Peter Chiarelli, he tried to negotiate with Kaberle’s agent, but they failed on reaching an agreement.
Hence, the Corvo deal went through.
"We seized the opportunity", Peter Chiarelli said. "We do wish Tomas well. He provided us with something we greatly needed in the Stanley Cup drive and he's got a good contract with a good team now".
Carolina has made some big moves in this 2011 NHL free agency, and hopes to make its team much better for the next season.
Unable to make the playoffs last season, Hurricanes is making major changes to create a better and stronger line-up.
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