Tomas Kaberle has been traded to the Bruins. Leafs GM Brian Burke has done an excellent job in getting good value for his best asset. The Leafs obtained Boston’s 2011 first rounder, good center prospect Joe Colborne as well as a conditional pick. Given the fact Kaberle openly wanted to go to Boston – leaving Burke with minimal leverage – it’s a great deal for the Leafs who have moved a very good but one dimensional defenseman.

How does this affect the Rangers? It affects them in several ways. First of all it further still sets the price of this years deadline. While it also removes a possible temptation for Glen Sather to remedy the power play with. Given what the Bruins gave up, a comparable price for the Rangers might have been Evgeny Grachev, their first round pick and an additional pick. At that price Rangers fans would have revolted so it’s nice to see the temptation to acquire Kaberle is gone.

On the negative side for the Rangers, it does strengthen a possible playoff opponent should they get there. A Bruins powerplay of Kaberle and Chara on the points could be lethal, so the Rangers would have to stay out of the box in that match up should it happen.

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