[getbak]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...e-notrade.html

One thing Burke said he would not do is approach Kaberle to surrender his no-trade clause. The 31-year-old, who is under contract for the bargain price of US$4.25-million through next season, took the ice Thursday as the team leader in assists (35) and points (39).

"Kaberle has been a great Leaf, he's a great guy," Burke said. "He's played well and hard for us, and has been a quality citizen. He earned that fair and square, and I am not going to ask him to waive it."

Burke said he sent a note to Kaberle's agent saying as much on Wednesday, and said the notion of fairness to a veteran player outweighs the quality of any offers the Leafs might field for the defenceman's services. Protecting the integrity of a no-trade clause - even if it was provided by his predecessor, John Ferguson Jr. - is an important sales tool for the Leafs if they want to attract free agents, Burke said.

Kaberle has said he would prefer to remain in Toronto, but if he or his agent were to approach the Leafs with the possibility of waiving the clause, Burke said he would not accept a list of fewer than 10 potential teams. That said, Burke suggested he has not been overwhelmed by the quality of offers put forth by his counterparts around the NHL.

"We're getting wonderful offers," Burke said. "It's like watching National Geographic, when you see a dead zebra and there's vultures everywhere. Only the zebra's not dead yet."