Canadiens acquire Tomas Kaberle from Carolina in return for Jaroslav Spacek
Friday, 09.12.2011 / 11:50 AM / News
Montreal Canadiens
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager, Pierre Gauthier, announced today the acquisition of defenseman Tomas Kaberle from the Carolina Hurricanes, in return for defenseman Jaroslav Spacek.
The 33-year old Kaberle played 29 games with the Hurricanes this season. He registered nine assists, 38 shots on goal and 27 blocked shots, playing an average of 19 minutes and 14 seconds per game.
The 6’01’’, 214 lbs defenseman has collected 538 points (84 goals, 454 assists) in 931 regular season games in the NHL. He scored 31 goals on the powerplay and 16 were game-winning goals. He displays a career +19 plus/minus differential. Kaberle added 39 points (6 goals, 33 assists) in 102 playoff games, along with a +16 plus/minus ratio.
A native of Rakovnik, Czech Republic, he played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Kaberle was drafted in the eighth round, 204th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
Jaroslav Spacek played 12 games this season with the Canadiens registering three assists. He has a +2 plus/minus differential, with 12 hits and 25 blocked shots, playing an average of 15 minutes and 29 seconds per game.
Since joining the NHL, Spacek has recorded 343 points (77 goals and 266 helpers) and maintained a +45 plus/minus ratio in 846 NHL regular season games.
WTF?!?!?!?!!
My original reaction was shock. Then I got thinking that Kaberle while he has had his problems in Boston and Carolina, he is not that far removed from his great seasons in Toronto.
Like I did when Jacques Martin was hired as head-coach, I’m willing to give Kaberle a chance to prove himself before making judgement. It’s the least we can do as fans in my humble opinion.
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