"Not only is Pavel Kubina unlikely to be traded, but Cliff Fletcher is talking him up as a possible captain if Mats Sundin departs. With an Aug. 15 window to shop Kubina rapidly closing, the Maple Leafs' general manager yesterday listed the chance of dealing the $5-million US defenceman as "less than 50%." "Any trade involving Pavel would have to be very advantageous for the Leafs," Fletcher said. "I thought he played well last season (after an awful start to Kubina's four-year $20-million deal) and I know (new coach) Ron Wilson liked him a lot. Plus, it's very quiet right now for trades." Wilson was in favour of a deadline deal last February to send Kubina to his San Jose Sharks, which the defenceman vetoed with his no-trade clause, much to Fletcher's chagrin. When the Leafs missed the playoffs, a clause in Kubina's contract gave them from June 20 to Aug. 15 for a trade. But though teams such as the Los Angeles Kings are looking for veterans on defence, the Leafs now need Kubina on a green blueline if veteran Bryan McCabe isn't returning.

"He could be a serious candidate to be our captain," said Fletcher, who could be without Sundin and two of three alternates in McCabe and the traded Darcy Tucker. "It's Aug. 6 and we have to start thinking about these things." Tomas Kaberle is the lone remaining alternate captain. "He is among a number of candidates, but I don't expect it will be decided until the end of training camp," Fletcher said. "And if Mats is gone, it's possible we might rotate it (month-to-month as teams such as Minnesota do)." As far as the McCabe stalemate is concerned, there is a growing feeling that he will agree to be moved somewhere in the autumn, rather than report to camp and cause a stir."