Report: Kaberle to Flyers "Heating up"

Now that the injury-plagued Flyers know that Peter Forsberg isn't returning this year, they are looking into other ways to improve their club. The Ottawa Sun reports that the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs are discussing a possible deal that would send Tomas Kaberle to Philly. There is no word on what the Flyers would be giving up to get the speedy defender. The only problem is Kaberle has a no-trade clause, and he has said in the past that he has no intention of waiving it.

What would it take to get Kaberle? Besides his teammate Mats Sundin, he might be the hottest name on the market. He is exactly the type of puck-moving, shifty-skating, top defenseman that the Flyers, and really every team, covet. If Tomas Kaberle agrees to waive his no-trade clause, there would be a bidding war for his services. The Flyers would likely have to give up a draft pick or two, and a young player or two. Jeff Carter's name continually comes up as a player the Flyers should move, and let me go on record now as saying there is no way they should trade Carter. You don't trade someone that young with that much upside and not regret it later. Think the Flyers wish they still had Justin Williams? How about Vaclav Prospal or Patrick Sharp?

I am all for the Flyers going out and improving the club, but not at the expense of a guy like Jeff Carter. I trust GM Paul Holmgren not to make a "Bob Clarke move" and mortgage the future for the present, especially with a club that probably doesn't have a chance at the Cup this year anyway. The problem then becomes, how do you get any of these top players without giving up youth? The Toronto Maple Leafs are not going anywhere this year, so they won't take guys like Sami Kapanen and Mike Knuble. Holmgren is going to have to get creative to get what he wants. His record in trades so far is impressive, lets see what his next move is.