A few things:
SDM - People in Toronto love Kaberle because he's fast, has amazing puck-poise, can carry the play almost singlehandedly, has great instincts as a PP QB, has a good shot, has good vision, and is respectable enough defensively that he rarely is responsible for a goal anymore. He also is a very good backchecker, thanks to his great speed. The fact that he's the third highest paid defenceman on the team, and that guys like Andrei Markov and Kimmo Timonen, who are similar but not as solid as Kaberle [though Markov is ever-improving] is just more reason to enjoy what Tomas does.
About the Habs/'Hawks trade - Cullimore has already been bought out by the club, $1.25 million spread out over two seasons, which will count as $625k/yr. Salmelainen will challenge for a roster spot out of camp but I highly doubt he makes it; the guy has blazing speed but his hands aren't very good, he's not a great passer and his shot is average at best. I also say that if he doesn't make the Habs out of camp, he refuses an assignment to the AHL and bolts back to Finland, further saving the Canadiens more money. All in all, the Habs look to drop about $1.7 million in salary, and over $2 million if Salmelainen is returned to Finland [and in the process would have to be suspended without pay].
Can't wait for the draft.
Kane goes #1, almost definitely. I'm hoping the Leafs can snag Colton Gillies at #13, but I've been hearing that they're actively pursuing Mikael Backlund or David Parron. Leafs really need to draft some physical players, though. They've already got enough oft-injured softies on the team.