You know it’s a slow period when…
August 10th, 2008 by Gerald NortonI’m talking Bryan McCabe.
For the Ottawa Senators, the only strategic move left unfulfilled is the need to replace Redden’s top 2 minutes, and offensive prowess, as meek as it has been lo these past two seasons. As offensive Dman after offensive Dman signs, or is traded, the pool of talent becomes shallower, and shallower. To be fair, Murray is probably now just as worried about getting caught in the vortex of the rapidly draining pool as he is about not filling this role. Now is the time a GM makes a bold move, or let’s it go. Is now the time to trade for the player (formerly) known as McClutz?
With new rumblings about McCabe voluntarily leaving the “Blue Basket Case”, where do people think he’ll end up?
1. Popular opinion has centered around Long Island, but with the recent signing of Streit, at 4.1M/yr, 5 yrs, is it really likely they’ll take on another big defensive contract for a carbon copy player? It becomes all the more unlikely when you consider their lack of offensive talent in the forward ranks. It would seem the 4.150M would be better spent on a top six forward.
2. What about Florida? The sunshine state has been rumoured to be a possible landing place. But with a mere 6M left in cap space, will the anemic Panthers spend to the cap on another offensive Dman? Is a Bouwmeester for McCabe + trade in the works? Certainly a possibility, but from FLA’s point of view, I’m sure JBo could command much better then an aging one dimensional player with an NMC and a big contract.
3. If the sunshine state is the destination, and it’s not Smilin’ Jack who takes him, this leaves TBL. At present they haven’t the cap space, but they do have a glut of forwards to contend with before the season begins. In order to accommodate McCabe, TBL would have to shed around 4M, to leave some wiggle room under the cap. Do they intend to go to the cap? That would be a change from the past, new ownership not withstanding. A possible move would be Minnie Vinnie for McCabe and a 1st. Not sure that fits for either team.
What about BUF? The team needs to replace the offensive hole vacated by Campbells departure. They have the cap space, but have never been a team to spend to the cap in the past, and going to @56M now would make letting Campbell go in favour of McCabe look incompetent. But, if they swapped one anchor contract for another, then it’s possible. McCabe for Afinogenov? Maybe, but this leaves BUF light up front. McCabe would like the proximity for sure, as it would mean his family could stay put in Toronto.
NYR? It is “back home” for the family? After having signed both Redden and Roszival, would they force shuffle their deck to accommodate McCabe. Very unlikely.
NJD? Again, close to home, but NJD hasn’t the space under the cap without moving a big salary. Gionta is rumoured to be available, and he would fit nicely on the Basket Cases top line…but why would NJD solve Toronto’s problem by giving them a high calibre player? Besides, McCabe is not exactly a “Devil” type of player. Unlikely.
LAK? Now, that’s an interesting possibility. With only 4D men signed, and no legit NHL ready prospect in the wings, they are certainly in need of some bodies on defense. McCabe would do well in replacing Blakes offensive game, and be capable of contributing the ice time lost with his departure. As well, the Kings would benefit from the more then 1.6M in fake cap room gained from McCabes front loaded contract. As a team that will struggle to reach the floor as is, this is a nice bonus. So what would go back to TO? Not much, as the Kings need all the salary they can get. A 3rd rounder? Quite possibly. But, would McCabe go all the way to LaLa Land, and consume the rigorously travel of the Western Conference, just to play on another non contender? I wouldn’t.
OTT? Dare I say it? McCabe playing on Canada’s Team? Could the humble Senators fans withstand the shear mass of a player from the centre of the universe? At first the thought is….HELLS NO! To think, no more laughing at the “Rag Doll” clip. No more laughing at the McClutz jokes. Oh, imagine the hand wringing. Imagine the looks of disbelief. What’s next? Joe Bowen replacing Dean Brown? The blasphemy!
But, once the shock wore off (in a month or two), maybe the fans could see the benefits for Canada’s Team. McCabe is a lousy #1 Dman, but as a PP specialist, he is certainly very competent. He can also log big minutes. He can also take, and give a hit, and play a physical game. He could also bring a desire for redemption that would help re-ignite the passion in a locker room accused of having lost their focus and fire. He would certainty signal a change, a true departure from the past, and a new foot forward. The biggest issue would be his cap hit. Absorbing his 5.75M would require some moves off of the roster, which is no big deal, except the moves go to a division rival, and that changes everything. The 3 names most likely to move are Neil, MacAmmond and Nycholat. I can’t imagine Neil being moved to Toronto, full stop. This leaves Nycholat and Mac. Nycholat could be a good stop gap until Shenn comes on board, and Mac would bring a good all around game, and some veteran leadership to a squad in desperate need of such. And, at 1hr, the flight to Toronto makes getting home a fairly easy prospect for Bryan, not to mention the 12 games in and around the GTA through-out the season.
But, as it stands, the cap room is not there, so long as Mesz remains part of the plan. Would Murray move Mesz, Nycholat & Mac for McCabe, Earl and a 2nd? Probably. Now that would be bold.
Comments always welcome.
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25 Responses to “You know it’s a slow period when…”
By Marco on Aug 10, 2008
I want Niklunin in place of Nycholat and Mac, especially if i’m giving up a 11 2nd round pick, considering we have none in the next 2 years
By Gerald Norton on Aug 10, 2008
A yes, the second went to the Islanders, I forgot that wasn’t exercised in the ‘08 draft..
As for Nikulin, the issue wouldn’t be him per se, it would be the fact that he does not represent committed salary. Salary would have to move to accommodate McCabes contract. There is no way Toronto will get a young top 4 Dman, and a young offensive prospect for an anchor contract and a middling prospect (Earl).
Just for fun then, make it McCabe, Earl & 2009 1st for Mesz, Mac, Nycholat, and OTT 2009 3rd.
By David Johnson on Aug 10, 2008
If/when the Leafs trade McCabe they don’t really have a need to bring a defenseman back. That includes Meszaros and they definitely wouldn’t have any interest in Nycholat. Kaberle, Kubina, Finger, Colaiacovo, White, Stralman, Frogren an Kronwall would all rank above Nycholat on the depth chart and half of them might rank above Meszaros.
What the Leafs need are skilled forwards so if Ottawa is serious about acquiring McCabe lets begin the discussion with Vermette, not Meszaros.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 10, 2008
The Leafs would be serious about losing McCabe. The Sens would be willing to accomodate them.
Mesz is a better all around Dman (IMO) then any on that list then Kaberle, and in time, he may be better then him too. For a team looking to rebuild, Mesz offers a lot more opportunity then Finger, Frogren, Strahlman, White, or Kronwall. None on that list have played his number of games, or had his degree of success, let alone play-off experience. Cliff “The Axe Man” Fletcher has poisoned the well with McCabe, and is now at McCabes mercy on where he’ll go, and the fans/media if he stays. Murray would know this, and use his positional advantage in taking McCabe, and some goodies. He certainly would not deal to potentially strengthen TML.
This will not happen, as the cap simply does not accommodate for it, and MLSE can’t risk facing a bad deal 6 times a year, and repeatedly in Ontario centric media. I suspect McCabe will be traded, but it will cost the Leafs dearly, just to save face.
Cliff “The Axe Man” Fletcher himself said “”With him dictating where he wants to go, probably not much,” said Fletcher. “We will probably have to take back a matching contract and some players in the deal.”
By David Johnson on Aug 10, 2008
There will be a number of teams who would be interested in McCabe and so long as McCabe doesn’t decide to limit who Fletcher can deal him to to just the Senators then there will likely be teams willing to deal a forward in the deal.
Meszaros is definitely an interesting defenseman but his career path is still largely undetermined. He is not right now a well rounded defenseman. He definitely has offensive skills but has not proven himself reliable defensively. If he can improve his defensive game he could be a very good defenseman. After watching him for 3 seasons I am not sure that is in him so he will just be a good offensive defenseman with questionable defensive ability. The Leafs don’t really need that kind of defenseman. Kaberle is an excellent offensive defenseman. Kubina is a good offensive defenseman. Coliaicovo has some good offensive skills as does Stralman and White. They don’t need another player like that.
This is all really a moot point because I don’t think a McCabe trade to the Senators will happen.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 10, 2008
At this point, it’s all up to McCabe, so anything is possible.
By Marco on Aug 10, 2008
and we won’t be trading any 1st round picks so lose that idea
By Gerald Norton on Aug 10, 2008
Awwww!
By Steve on Aug 10, 2008
Pipe Dream.
Sorry.
The Sens won’t give up anything the Leafs need, let alone want. The Leafs would want a lot in exchange. Trading McCabe to their most hated rival and getting less than decent value in return makes no sense.
Meszaros is over-rated as an all-around defender thanks to his first season being a +34. He really isn’t that good in his own end. Anton Volchenkov would be a better starting point if you’re talking D-men to deal.
But all of that is a moot point since what the Leafs would want would be forwards. Ottawa is unfortunately quite thin after their top 3. Vermette and Foligno are likely the only players that they’d look at seriously at this point. Fisher and Neil maybe, but I don’t see Ottawa trading either of them to Toronto.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 11, 2008
The Leafs would want a lot in exchange? The Leafs would want to be rid of McCabe, Fletcher himself has gone o record saying they wouldn’t get much in return but an equally bad contract. Getting Mesz would be a glorious return, even if they simply turned around and traded him for what they needed. In terms of defense, he’s better then Kabby, or Kubina. I never once said the deal is immanent, or likely, or anything like that, it was just chatter, food for thought. At best Ottawa would move Mac and Nycholat, and that would not clear up enough space.
But, at the end of the day, it’s all up to McCabe, not Fletcher.
By Yuri Suderov on Aug 11, 2008
A 2009 first? Are you serious? Trading Toronto’s potential franchise player to a divional rival, for a package of Mesz and garbage. If it would cost the Leafs a 1st rounder for anyone to take him than they would wait until next year and buy him out.
By Marco on Aug 11, 2008
It all depends on what McCabe gives them to work with, if he gives them 10-15 teams, I bet you could start a bidding war. Campbell just got a crazy contract, mind you Campbell has some high end skill. I think that McCabe can eat up minutes, be reliable heck maybe even a star in another city without the media on him.
He also has some leadership qualities, on a team like LA, McCabe might actually be in high demand.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 11, 2008
A bidding war, at this point in the off season….come on, seriously?
By Marco on Aug 11, 2008
Seriously. A lot of teams have a need for a guy who can play plenty of minutes, has leadership qualities, and is actually giving them a larger cap hit then he’d be paid.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 12, 2008
Name 2 that would enter a bidding war.
By Marco on Aug 12, 2008
LA and Atlanta are 2 teams that come to mind that could use a guy like McCabe.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 12, 2008
I would be surprised if McCabe waived for LA, and they wouldn’t bid away anything of value, as they’re not in a contending position yet. Atlanta is always possible, as they are so desperate and unpredictable, and they have the room, but with such a thin roster they don’t have anything of value to offer up in return. Besides, they just made a move on a long term deal for Hainsey, will they pay even more for McCabe? Not so sure, but, like I said, with the Funky Chickens, anything is possible.
By Steve on Aug 12, 2008
You could toss in Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Florida as possible bidders.
Carolina has a deep forward core, but they’re still working to improve their blue line. They traded Erik Cole for Joni Pitkanen earlier this off season but that doesn’t mean they’re done yet. Frantisek Kaberle, Nic Wallin, Joe Corvo, and Tim Gleason isn’t exactly all world on the back end. They could trade one of Tuomo Ruutu, Patrick Eaves, Brandon Sutter, Bobby Hughes or any other prospects the Leafs would consider. Oh and they still have $7.4 mill available in cap space.
The Bolts only have Matt Carle, and Filip Kuba to depend on for D, and they have way too many forwards. They’re at $53 million for the cap right now, but if they dealt 2 of Halpern, Gratton, or Jokinen that’d free up some space.
Florida just re-signed Bouwmeester, but he’s obviously more interested in playing elsewhere after this season. The Panthers are still thin up front after Weiss, Horton, Zednik, Stillman, and Olesz, so it wouldn’t really fix that problem, but they’re only at $50 mill under the cap and if they dealt Bouwmeester for McCabe they’d still be under the cap. I’m pretty sure the Leafs would take that deal.
I do NOT think any of these are amazingly likely. Just saying there are teams that COULD make the move if they wanted to and McCabe was willing to go there.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 12, 2008
Anything is possible, hells, I say Neil for Zetterburg, it gives Detroit the gritty player they need….whatever.
By pepsican on Aug 12, 2008
The thing I would wonder is why would we bother getting McCabe? Firstly I would rather just give Mezzy a bit more money then take on all of McCabes contract. Secondly why would we have let Redden go with we are just going to pick up McCabe, it would have been more worth our while to keep him and not have to lose anything for a high priced d man.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 12, 2008
pepsican, thanks for writing, I love the discussion, especially now that the doldrums have set in!
To be clear, I’m an not intending to say the Sens should go after McCabe. I am merely saying that the off season began with a clear intention to not resign Redden, and instead sign or trade for an alternate player to take on his offensive defenseman role. Does McCabe represent the best of any option available from the beginning of free agency to now. I would definitely so no. But, he does represent one of the few remaining options, IF, Murray still believes this must be completed in order to succeed. McCabe vs Redden is interesting, as for the most part it’s not a debate about who is better, but rather who is worse, and that is never a strong starting point in adding to a roster. My discussing moving Mesz was, again, only discussion. Personally, I’d sooner keep Mesz, if he wants to remain. But, if he doesn’t, and McCabe was available, and I could get a good pick or prospect while shedding some salary…I’d have to seriously consider it.
By pepsican on Aug 13, 2008
Another thing to mention about McCabe is his contract has a remaining 3 years left and this might conflict with Murray’s plans of fetching a UFA goalie in ‘10. If we have McCabe’s contract tying up money then we might not be able to afford one. If McCabes contract was only 1 or 2 years it would be ALOT more attractive in terms of picking him up, but as it is I think that getting him would throw a wrench into the future of the sens.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 13, 2008
Very much so, but he could be bought out too. The only way I could see Murray doing this, is if he TRULY believed the deal would put Ottawa over the top. I doubt that is the case.
By Marco on Aug 14, 2008
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=246307&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main
There, “several teams in the mix” sounds like a bidding war to me.
By Gerald Norton on Aug 14, 2008
“Interested” and “bidding war” are not synonymous, nor are they mutually exclusive, time will tell, but I still highly doubt McCabe and his contract, and the situation surrounding the trade talks make for a “bidding war” environment.