WILL KUBINA REMAIN A LEAF? ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO DECIDE

by Mike Jack, Mike Jack's Hockey Articles

As Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher promised, there have been many changes made to his team this off season. Veterans have left the team in favour of younger players with growing potential. One player who has been the subject of trade rumours but still remains with the team is veteran defenseman Pavel Kubina. However, if the team wishes to trade him, they’ll have to do it by August 15^th. That’s when Kubina’s no trade clause will kick in.

There were rumours around last season’s trade deadline that Fletcher had requested Kubina to lift his no-trade for a trade he had in place with the New York Islanders. Supposedly, Kubina was about to approve the trade but then denied it. Kubina went on to finish the season strongly. His improvement may have saved his job with the Maple Leafs.

The Leafs do have quite a few blue-liners and it seams that somebody will be leaving before the new season begins. Early this week, it was reported that Bryan McCabe has lightened his stance on his no-trade clause and Fletcher has said that his situation is “going to be resolved amicably before training camp.” If McCabe is traded, Kubina may remain as the team’s primary point shot specialist.