Tomas Kaberle was living in the Czech Republic and playing for his childhood team, but he was still following the Toronto Maple Leafs. He watched games whenever he could. He texted Phil Kessel every now and then. He showed up at practices and went out to dinner with the players whenever he was in town. He did not know three-quarters of the lineup, but there was an attachment there.
There always will be, he said.
?Thirteen years is thirteen years,? Kaberle, who is back living in Toronto with his wife and two young children, said of his time spent playing for the Leafs. ?It?s most of my career in the city. I had a lot of good times here, a lot of good memories. It?s hard not to follow. I?m probably going to follow when I?m done playing. It?s what you do all your life.?