Panthers Acquire Bryan McCabe, Draft Pick From Toronto

[Thrillhouse]

SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has acquired D Bryan McCabe and a fourth round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for D Mike Van Ryn.

"We are very pleased to have acquired a player with Bryan's talent level and playing experience," said Martin. "Bryan is a big, strong, hard hitting defenseman who also possesses the ability to be a goal scorer and play on special teams. He will be counted on to play an integral role on our defense and to help bring future success to our franchise."

McCabe, 33, has played in 917 National Hockey League contests for the NY Islanders (1995-98), Vancouver (1998-99), Chicago (1999-00) and Toronto (2000-08), scoring 115 goals with 303 assists and 1574 PIM. He has recorded at least 20 points in each of his 12 NHL playing seasons, including three consecutive 50-plus point seasons (2003-07).

The St. Catharines, Ontario native, posted career highs in goals (19), assists (49), points (68), powerplay goals (13), powerplay assists (32) and powerplay points (45) during the 2005-06 campaign. In 2003-04, McCabe was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team and placed fourth in Norris Trophy voting. His 297 Maple Leafs points places him sixth among Toronto's all-time defensemen leaders.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound blueliner has played in 51 postseason contests with Toronto, scoring 10 goals with 16 assists and 70 PIM. McCabe was originally drafted by the NY Islanders with their second choice (40th overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

[Thrillhouse]

I feel like a giant weight has been lifted.

Obviously, the whole situation was terrible, terrible asset management. But I'm glad he's gone and that we got something. I used to like Van Ryn a couple years ago but he's had a tough time recently so hopefully he can return to the way he was.

The only other option for Toronto was a buyout (or keep him..boooo), so I'd take the trade over that. Why McCabe chose Florida? His folks have a summer home there and ...... Wade Belak, no joke.

[blackngold]

win-win

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

What? Wow, this really came out of nowhere.

[MrFrost]

Its good theres some closure to the McCabe case. I like the guy and think hes a decent player and Im glad its all blown over now. Sounds like everyones happy. good deal.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by BROKEN*ORBITAL

What? Wow, this really came out of nowhere.

did it? I remember hearing the trade was agreed upon and all that was left was for McCabe to collect the 2 mill bonus the Leafs owed him after Sept. 1st

McCabe AND a 4th rounder for Van Ryn??? Van Ryn is not a BAD defenseman (in fact i think he better then Finger) but the value of this trade is uneven... One more obvious move for Tavares or the other young buck in the upcoming draft.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

The only other option for Toronto was a buyout (or keep him..boooo), so I'd take the trade over that.

i just need some clarifications on this. Did he not sign a no movement clause which means the only way he could have been bought out was if he agreed to it?

[R.Middleton]

Originally Posted by bengino

did it? I remember hearing the trade was agreed upon and all that was left was for McCabe to collect the 2 mill bonus the Leafs owed him after Sept. 1st

i'm pretty sure he's sarcastic.

[Cat Smasher]

jkidd smokes crack and owes me an apology

[cobolt]

I cannot tell who won this trade, good for the Leafs to get rid of him I guess but I have a feeling he will do better for a team like Florida since the preasure is very limited compared to playing for Toronto. He looked very nervous at times in Laffland last year. Yeah, win/win trade is my call as well. The man is still grossly overpaid..

[The DZA]

Sure McCabe is overpaid, but he's still one of the best offensive defensemen in the league. His defensive game should pick up in Florida where theres less pressure.

[NYR36]

Florida won this trade. Getting the pick with maccabe shows how bad Toronto is at trading. They seem to give up way too much compared to other teams at the deadline and such.
I can see Bryan having a good year in Florida.

[Cat Smasher]

Any trade that relieves your organization of one of those overpaid players with a no-movement clause in his contract is a good trade. Any such transaction that does not include the name Tomas Kaberle is a great trade for us.

[canuckfan]

Bad trade or not, I don't think it really matters, does it? I mean the way I see it, Leaf fans should be thanking the Panthers for taking this contract off their hands, especially one with a no-trade claus. The draft pick going to Florida was probably extra incentitive for them to agree to the deal.

If I were a Leafs fan, I'd be extremely happy that for one, McCabe agreed to the deal, and two, you're getting another body back in return - one who is younger and cheaper at that. Pretty good move by Fletcher here, imo.

[OilersHockey]

The best part of this deal for me was how Eklund was trying to sell everyone the day before it went down that "Fletcher is looking to shock to the hockey world" by pulling out Bouwmeester or Weiss...

What were they going to do, trade McCabe and Kaberle together or something???

Then, TO ends up giving up an additional pick to even get Van Ryn...

Eklund has got to be the most retarded hockey analyst on this plant... No wonder the retard hides his identity...