Comments on: The Value of McCabe

By: mcdivitt

mcdivitt — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:34:46 +0000

I for one have been on the fence about McCabe. And, to give my opinion SOME credibility, I do watch 95% of Leafs games and follow various blogs and articles, etc.

He is a stellar offensive producer - no question. The PP would certainly hurt without him, and there's no denying that. But, his brain cramps are hard to watch.

Also, sometimes I question his heart. There are times when he seems to give up on plays when (I think) he clearly has a chance to make a better effort. Those situations leave me yelling "F*&k you, Bryan McCabe!!", at my TV screen, and calling for his head until the next time he pounds a slapper into the top of the net on the PP. So, I guess what I'm saying is this guy really instills a lovehate relationship.

You are right that his defensive game progressed last year. And anyone that disagrees didn't watch enough of their games. I think there were a few BIG giveaways that marred the marked improvement in his overall defensive game, night in, and night out.

I think you're right on the money when you compare his salaries to Chara, et al (who, I think, is grossly overpaid). You're also right that his salary will look like a steal in the latter stages of his deal. By the time he comes up for a new deal, top-flite D-men will be getting $8-9M per year. At that point B-Mac will be in his mid-30's and passing the prime of his career. So, I think McCabe bashers need to have a little more foresight in the deal that JFJ has made. Yes, he threw on a no-trade clause, but, if McCabe's defensive game keeps improving, I don't see how anyone can say he is an unfitting piece to the Leaf puzzle.

Maybe I'm being optimistic, but I think he will continue to progress as he gets more and more comfortable with his assigned "value". And if people will stop booing him (and others on the team), his confidence will only get stronger.

By the way, if you're attending a game and you're a TRUE Leaf fan, HOW CAN YOU BOO THEM!!?? I am so embarrassed of Leaf fans when that happens, no matter what is happening on the ice!! How is this productive for the team?? Can you imagine playing hockey for the team you love and having 20,000 people booing AT YOU!!! Give it a f*&%$&! rest people!!

Obvisouly, I digress...

Anyways, having said all that, you make excellent points about his value to the team, and make it seem an outlandish idea to trade him away. So, I think I agree with you!

By: baltic_thunder

baltic_thunder — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:24:25 +0000

Here, here. You're damn right!

By: baltic_thunder

baltic_thunder — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:23:02 +0000

P l e a s e .
Tomas makes Brian who he is. Time to learn some defense Mr. $5.75 million man. He is so John Ferguson's nightmare. He's overpaid by about $1.5-1.75 million. One the leafs depth charts last year I'd rank him 4-5th.

By: senators101

senators101 — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:16:08 +0000

He's on the PK? I thought he was the one serving all the penalties?

By: beatle11

beatle11 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 23:22:04 +0000

McCabe is definitely one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL. However i still don't like that he makes so many defensive mistakes. Plus most of his points are on the poweplay. If the leafs were to trade McCabe they could use Kubina on the first powerplay unit. He has a good shot and although he may not be quite as good offensively as McCabe he still has the capability to score 50 points if given the opportunity. He is also much more responsible defensively. He is definitely a player any team would like to have but not at 5.75 a season.

By: lukeleim

lukeleim — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:06:42 +0000

You're an idiot. He's been a top 10 point producer the past 3 years among defense. Last year he led the defense in scoring for the majority of the season, until he was hurt. He led the league in points for the first 10 games. Made team Canada that year while playing on a poor nhl team. this year he struggled defensively but still produced 50pts.

By: brianc689

brianc689 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:41:42 +0000

Hatcher was solid defensively before the lockout, now he is just too slow. Even in the first year after the lockout, when Philly was one of the best teams in the league, he only put up 17 points and was a +2. When he was with the Stars in the pre-lockout days, he was consistently around 25-30 points and one year had a +37. Guys like Chara and Hatcher are just too slow for the league now. They are great down low and on the PK, but they just can not keep up with the pace of the game. So, all I'm saying about Chara is that 7.5 mil is way too much for a guy who is a liability 5 on 5 and whose goal production dropped once he left the likes of Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza. If I had to choose, I would take McCabe and his 5.75 mil a year.

By: next_year

next_year — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:02:48 +0000

McCabe is not going anywhere he has a no movement claus which mean he wants to be here so hes not going to waive it to be traded to anywhere

By: bernie1parent

bernie1parent — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:05:54 +0000

Im pretty sure he put up 43 points, the same amount he put up with the offensive minded ottawa teams. Now, how many players show any semblance of being good when on a shitty ass team? Look at hatcher, -24, and he is really solid defensively even though he does get burnt from time to time.

By: bernie1parent

bernie1parent — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:00:24 +0000

since when is he a great leader, when has he had to lead for that matter. You have mats sundin, now thats a leader, like the other guy says. Tiny bit above average! He is average at best. Average defenders are guys that are 5th or 6th defensemen who are either up and coming or just stuck there and not getting better. McCabe is not a good defender and is a main reason why they give up so many odd man rushes.