For No Other Reason Than It Rocks

A Closer Look: Yahoo Power Rankings (Your Cats: 24th)

Yahoo! Sports' Ted Starkey has weighed in with his power rankings for the opening week of the 2008-09 season, and the Cats have dropped to the sadly familiar "lowly" status, lumbering in at number 24, but he has a legitimate point, considering past performance.

Teams listed above: Carolina (17), Phoenix (20), Tampa Bay (21), St. Louis (23).

Teams listed below: No surprises.

Nice call on 30th place Toronto (out of 30, mind you), especially considering their 3-2 victory during Banner Raising Night in Detroit at The Joe. Way to go with the insight.

TLB Says: No comment on any so called "Power Rankings" before two-thirds of the clubs have yet been on the clock.

Re: Detroit/Toronto...the Wings will win 60 games this year. Detroit had a bad start against a hungry, scrapping band of Leafs (what it be, MVR!) who deserved the win simply by playing that much more tenaciously than their hosts. An interesting loss for the Wings, but that ship will sail, and soon. Too much humble talent. They got handed their rear ends tonight; won't happen again.

Van Ryn in TO: "Comfortable Here Already"

Former Cat Mike Van Ryn appears to be adjusting well to his new digs in Toronto, according to a story in the Globe and Mail:

"I'm not afraid to stand up for myself (in dealing with New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello during a contract dispute). I'm actually happy the way it turned out."

Genuinely good to see the guy is, not surprisingly, adapting to his surroundings well. Never a word of criticism will come from the mouths of Panther fans about MVR. Though health concerns will always dog him, the Leafs have picked up a great character and team player.

Good Morning, Losers!

Steve Simmons of the London Free Press opines:

"If you want to know why the Maple Leafs gave up on and gave away Bryan McCabe, here it is in a nutshell: McCabe got to pick where he wanted to play and he chose the Florida Panthers. Translation: He doesn't give a hoot whether he wins or loses and the Leafs were well aware of that. Who would want an apparent leader who is happy playing for a team in a messed-up market that never contends?"

Going purely on the use of the term "messed-up market", couldn't that firmly apply to Toronto the past few years?

Editorials Trickling In

In response to a particular under-the-radar transaction today, a number of media members are beginning to weigh in with their opinions on what went down. Interestingly, though not unexpectedly, the focus of most often turns to the presumed falling-out period between the Leafs and their former defenseman.

There's a lot of animosity toward McCabe, but no less than that directed at Mats Sundin, Kyle Wellwood, Darcy Tucker, et al, for not waiving their no-trade clauses at the latest trade deadline, the very same no-trade clauses the Toronto Maple Leafs - or more accurately, deposed GM and Teacher's pension fund puppet John Furguson Jr. - included in their contracts. Presumably without MAC-10s to their heads.

Ask any of those "fans" who pummel these folks: "As a player, would you have taken the same deal?"

The what-have-you-done-for-me-lately attitude has become a constant in the Toronto media, and among fans. Read any talkback on TSN, Sportsnet, Slam! Sports, etc. Quite an education in obsession and, in some cases, rage.

Without further ado, and more importantly, before I have to get up for work in three hours, a couple of editorials on what is shaping up to be the biggest story - and worst-kept-secret - of the late summer.

WES GOLDSTEIN (CBS SPORTSLINE) produces a nice middle-of-the-road piece on what McCabe is facing in a so-far-happy move to South Florida.

"I loved my time in Toronto because there's no place like it in the hockey world, but I'm really excited about being in Florida," McCabe said.
"They've brought in a lot of young talent and I really truly believe they have an opportunity to absolutely make the playoffs and hopefully make a run for the ultimate prize. Hopefully me and the other new guys can help put them over the top."

FROM THE WORLD OF OPEN-SOURCE, The Bleacher Report's Bryan Thiel puts up a good review of McCabe's time in TO and what he may bring to the Cats.

"But Florida is getting something special. Whether he scores 20 goals for them or not, McCabe will bring his all, and he'll be committed."

THE THROW-IN FOURTH ROUND PICK is a make-nice, sorry-for-the-trouble gift horse from Cliff Fletcher, Leafs' GM, as reported by the Sun-Sentinel's Steve Gorten.

"Either way, the Panthers at least get something back for the disasterous trade they made in February, giving up a third-rounder for forward Chad Kilger"

Lots more to come, kids, in the next few days. If nothing else, dealing with Toronto is always an exercise in a ginormous preponderance of opinions. TLB will stay on it. Mostly. Cuzz I'm getting carpal-tunnel syndrome from typing "Toronto" and "Bryan McCabe".

Custance on The Deal, and Fan Reactions Gone Horribly Wrong

A POSITIVE NOTE Craig Custance of The Sporting News has a surprisingly upbeat - given the molotov cocktails recently tossed - take on the trade that brings former All Star defenseman Bryan McCabe to Florida.

"The trade gives the Panthers a defenseman who can move the puck to the club's young forwards. Factor in the draft-week deal with the Phoenix Coyotes for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton to go with franchise defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, and (GM Jacques) Martin has the Southeast Division's strongest blue line and one of the league's deepest."

A breath of fresh air, and an opinion that Cat fans will warm to.

CONSPIRATORIAL OMISSION? As of 10:15 pm, The Panthers official site has not updated the roster to include McCabe. Mike Van Ryn is however off the list. Number 24 remains available.

And no, I do not see this as anything more than a website update not yet completed. The deal's done.

YOU WANT WHAT IN THERE??? A talkback from obviously HUGE McCabe fan FU8AR on the SportsNet website speaks for itself:

A reasonable McCabe deal with Florida would need to be McCabe and a third round draft pick for Bouwmeester, Matthias, and a 1st round draft pick.

Speechless. Was that his mother? And yes, he/she ultimately gets worked by his own brethren.

Considering the drivel shown below which the Leafs willingly partook in, I imagine "surprise" is not an emotion I should revel in when thinking of the educated Toronto fanbase:

How Big is YOUR Cone of Death? Oh, and Some Guy Named McCabe

Should be a slow week, weather-wise, for South Florida. And indeed, those are THREE individual storms. Good stuff.

J-BO COMMENTS ON GLUT OF D-MEN In other "news", The long-anticipated McCabe and fourth-rounder for Van Ryn has thankfully, officially, been completed. Bravo JM for a job I personally view as well done, and all the best to MVR in Toronto.

I find the most interesting aspect of this entire affair to be the response of Jay Bouwmeester to the deal which may have sealed his fate in Florida:

"It's been a revolving door with players, coaches and general managers. Hopefully they can get something to stick."

You'll notice his employment of the word "they" when referring to his current hockey club. Make of that what you will. The guy has been through more regime changes than the Louisiana house of representatives, so one can understand his ambivalence, but just sayin'. A fascinating read on the link above.

Standing By...

As expected the 'net is bogged down with stories reporting the almost-guaranteed deal between Florida and Toronto. The links to them are truly without end.

"Say...which deal would that be?" Have we had anything else to discuss recently?

According to many sources the Leafs will give up a draft pick in addition to Bryan McCabe for Mike Van Ryn. The only new item here is the pick.

Like the rest of the hockey world, I stand in anxious, sweaty anticipation of this deal, if for no reason other than it'll hold us over until the Rookie Tournament.

But there is another reason: this is one great acquisition. McCabe really is a big-name player, and not due simply to his few on-ice gaffes of recent seasons. His day was up in Toronto easily a year ago. A reinvigorated BMac could possibly morph into the best offensive-defenseman the Cats have ever had. He's got the tools, the talent, and the opportunity of a lifetime to prosper away from the glare of the Ontario media, who have been brutal, as have Leaf fans.

Just waiting for the press release...

McMore McCabe Talk

Now that September 1st is behind us - and it's not like we've been counting down the days until camp - the Bryan McCabe talks have understandably increased.

Number one, it's summer. We can talk schedules all year long until we're blue in the face, but aside from the Sundin Sweepstakes, what's been headline material?

I say "understandably" number two because there is, well, nothing else going on.

Here's yet another sterling example - from the blogosphere - of why the big defenseman needs to get the heck out of TO. I don't have quite the spite that the Toronto market has shown, but oh well.

Stay tuned, kiddies. BMac will be a Panther within hours. And I, as will the rest of PantherNation, miss MVR.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmmm

It's already made the rounds, but no matter how many times it's posted, one can't help but wonder about the mental state of this - or any - Leafs fan. No questioning Bryan McCabe's decision to bolt Toronto:

- Insert witty caption here -

It's Labor Day Somewhere, Winnipeg Memories, McCabe, and Keaton Ellerby's Lineage

Happy Labor day!

I type these words from my chair at work, of course, where I've been since 4:45. A special tip of the hat to all the bacon-and-eggers out there swinging hammers and sickles for the collective good. As the Obama/Biden campaign poster (above) suggests, a workers' paradise is only as effective as its' weakest socialized link. But that's all above my pay grade.

What is this?

WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, DAVE MANSON? Kukla's Korner has a tremendous blast from the proverbial past with a replay of the third period of a 1996 game-three conference semi-final pitting the Winnipeg Jets against the soon-to-be-dominant Red Wings. Mike Vernon is not at the top of his game. Hell, he's not at the top of Jim Carey's game. The Wings ultimately won the series, of course, while the Jets morphed into Coyotes. A very kewl video.

McCABE McMANIA CONTINUES The Toronto Sun profiles you-know-who and his checkered past with the Leafs. Recapping his "tough game" last year, McCabe succinctly spoke the obvious:

"Everybody makes mistakes," he said. "But it seems when I make one, it's always on the biggest stage."

And the clock ticks on...

KILGER UPDATE! Well, not really. But since we're speaking of folks with Leaf in their past, it bears mentioning that the maybe/could be/potential Panther is featured in the aforementioned Jets video. Not only is it his first playoff game, but nets his first goal as well...and it's a beauty. That's why we gave up a third-round pick for him, right?

FUN TRIVIA FOR YOU AND ME Panthers 2007 first-round pick Keaton Ellerby is cousins with ex-Jet and current-Coyote captain Shane Doan, as well as Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.

Leaf Fans: Be Afraid...Be Very Afraid

Cliff Fletcher's television career never got past the early years of Star Trek.

Your Tuesday Tropical Storm Fay McVanCabeRyn Non-Trade Update

Considering Toronto is the speculated trading partner, and any significant hockey news is weeks away, it should come as no surprise that the National Post is digging up whatever dirt they can find on the mysterious Mike Van Ryn, that crazy defenseman who actually wants to remain a Florida Panther.


"I haven't heard anything so I still consider myself a Florida Panther," Van Ryn told the Miami Herald. "(Toronto) would be home, I guess, but my home is here (in Florida). It would be quite an adjustment. But whatever happens, happens. If the Panthers want to move me, they will. But I like it here. I'm just going about my business."

There's no one in hockey who would ever say a negative thing about the guy. He's been wonderful through his injury issues, helping the team on the community outreach front, big-time. Can't think of anyone outside of Jokinen who stepped up to the PR plate better than he (and MVR finished his charity golf appearances). I'm not aware of Bryan McCabe's record in the community, and I'm assuming it's sterling, BTW, but he's going to have some rather large skates to fill.

Editor's note: I have attempted - several times - to include a photo of Van Ryn for those few who need illustrated menus at McDonald's. No luck. I blame it on our favorite tropical storm, which should be within a hundred or so miles of here at the moment.

Editor's second note: Mission accomplished.

Gee...Heard Anything on the Trade Front?

As would be expected, the hockey media and bloggers alike are abuzz over the Bryan McCabe-and-someone-for-someone-presumably-Mike Van Ryn-after-September 1st-non-trade. Part of the maniacal obsession is simply timing: in mid-August, there's not too much to cover. The other aspect is the content. In Toronto, anything Maple Leaf demands a 24-hour Gulf War-style embedded-reporter news cycle. Throw in McCabe's status last year as designated team goat, and a recipe for news overkill is cemented.

Of course, the coverage of this non-event has been epic, and can be followed up here, here, and here, as well as a billion other sites with a quick Google search.

Not much to comment on that hasn't already been said, other than it will be quite sad to see MVR leave. An absolute class act and consummate team guy, he got a bum rap over the past few seasons given the problems with his wonky wrists.

• Here's a relevant question: is the word "wonky" ever, but ever, used to describe anything other than hockey-related injuries? In a world of icing and Zamboni, wonky tends to fit right in.

On a related note, Cats tough guy and resident character (haven't had one of those - heck, either of those - in a looong while) Wade Belak has surprised no one by chiming in on the rumor with this truly golden comment:

"Now we have to work on Mats. Let's get the entire band back together, man! I'm all for that."

This guy's gonna be fun all year long. If you can find someone better equipped to mesh a bald Swedish hockey God with Jake and Elwood, I'm all ears.

In other Florida news, Panthers rookie Drew Larman has re-upped. Also, JM the GM is expected to announce the hiring of Rochester's new head coach within the next week.

Crisis in Toronto: McCabe...UPDATED

TSN is reporting the following:

All the pieces of the transaction have reportedly been agreed upon - sources say the Panthers and Leafs have settled on the players involved and McCabe has indicated he will waive his no-movement clause to go to Florida - and the only reason to delay the transaction is to allow Toronto, not the Panthers, to be on the hook for the signing bonus.

Also, and more intriguing:

Leaf sources say there is likely to be another Leaf player going to Florida as part of the package and Toronto is expected to get at least one player back from the Panthers, but Panther defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, the subject of much trade speculation in south Florida, is definitely not involved in any way.

Wow. Another player coming over from TO? Maybe it's Kilger again. What are we giving up? Gonna be a wild few weeks of pointless speculation, but that's what we do.

Are We Looking at Our Next Captain?

Peeling away the buzzing fan-submitted content sites who salivate over All Things Toronto, some actual news outlets are beginning to report with some consistency over the past 24 hours on the possiblity of Florida entering into a trade involving 33-year old veteran Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe. No mention yet regarding other names to be included.

FANBOY OPINION ALERT: I do believe this will get done, but as the Star article stated, not before September 1st due to the signing-bonus payout. It will most definitely not involve Bouwmeester. Almost certainly, look to JM sending a small package the other way. Names to consider: Skrastins, Van Ryn (especially), Peltonen, Cory Murphy.

McCabe and the Leafs would do well to part ways. Last year proved difficult in almost every way for the Buds, and the love-hate relationship with McCabe only worsened after an early-season on-ice gaffe:

(Not to worry, kids...he recovered the next night with a multiple point performance against, um, Florida. The bodies in the torched van, however, have yet to record a similar performance.)

The proverbial fresh start could be exactly what the former second-round pick needs. His leadership skills have never been openly questioned (coming off of Captain Olli, I believe that's a fair statement), he possesses good size (6-2, 220), and is considered one of the finer offensive "puck-moving defensemen" that are all the rage in the league right now. Behind his own blueline he's a bit unremarkable (though a career +37...nice) but boasts a booming shot on the power play. A fine addition when considering the potential loss of J-Bo.