Big Fish
June 27th, 2008 by Jason ChenIt looks as if the shallow free agent market this year will actually be quite a big one. With buyouts pouring in from all teams, including surprises like Todd Bertuzzi, the market just seems to get bigger and bigger. More are rumoured to follow, including Bryan McCabe, whose relationship with the Leafs has presumably turned sour. Just when you thought the Leafs were turning it around, moving ahead without Mats Sundin, cutting ties with dead weights like Darcy Tucker, and drafting Luke Schenn, they pull these PR stunts out of their asses and expect themselves to be considered one of the most well-run organizations in the league.
Fat chance.
While McCabe’s refusal to waive his no-trade clause is one thing, and it’s not terribly uncommon among players (that’s why they ask for it in the first place), Cliff Fletcher’s ask for him to “stay home” means that like it or not, McCabe’s out of here. It sounds like Fletcher’s ultimatum is either waive your no-trade clause, or be prepared to be waived, bought out, or demoted. Maybe from Fletcher’s point of view the move makes some hockey sense, but how does it make any sense financially and publicly? If Fletcher’s bluff blows up in his face he could very well have a pissed off McCabe back in the fold in the middle of training camp, and a potential locker room disaster, not to mention his overblown salary is still on the books. I hope for Fletcher’s sake that they can move him.
With the cap, in the future expect more bad contracts to be placed on waivers or bought out. Players under the age of 25 or over the age of 35 can be bought out with only 1/3 of the original salary count against the cap.
Among others that have been and will be bought out: Rhett Warrener, Marcus Nilson, Anders Eriksson, Shawn Bates, Darcy Tucker, Andrew Raycroft
EDIT: McCabe has a no movement clause, meaning that he cannot be demoted or traded without his permission. Since Fletcher has publicly stated that buying out McCabe makes no sense financially, it seems as though the only way out is via trade, but so far McCabe has made no indication of waiving his clause.
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4 Responses to “Big Fish”
By scotty on Jun 28, 2008
I wonder sometimes what McCabe’s kids are going through. McCabe says he’s staying for his family’s sake and they like it in Toronto. But does he really want his kids to go through the abuse that he goes through on the ice from the fans (since you can’t hide your kids and hope nobody recognizes their last name)? If he really cares about them, he should accept a trade this summer and make the move before school starts. Of course he wants the cash from the buyout, but he’s already a millionaire many times over, so why does he need the extra cash? He may think that he can prove his worth on the ice this coming season, but he’s had the last two years to justify a BIG contract and being paid more than Chris Pronger or Scott Niedermeyer. Why should fans and the organization give him another try? Yes, both sides agreed to the contract and if McCabe refuses to leave, they have to pay him whether he plays 25 minutes or zero. But Bryan can at least save a little face and leave graciously now and avoid having cups of beer thrown at him during warmups or while he serving another dumb penalty. I see your point about a lack of class on MLSE’s part since they did offer him this contract in good faith, but even people married with oaths before God and the State can file for divorce.
BTW, some of the “PR stunts” are not really the Leafs doing anything , but the crazy Toronto media “sexifying” stories that may contain a grain of truth or none at all (as long as they can sell some papers).
By Jason C on Jun 28, 2008
I’ve always wondered how much pull family/home has in contract/trade negotiations. A couple years ago we saw Pronger leave Edmonton for Anaheim after (reportedly) his wife didn’t like it there. Then people started wondering whether Luongo was happy or not in Vancouver, considering his wife still resides in Florida, who gave birth to their first child near the end of the season, almost causing him to miss a key game. Thus far Luongo has never made any indication that he’s going to stay in Vancouver long-term. Now it’s Campbell, who is very unlikely to re-sign with the Sharks and may very well return East to Buffalo or Ontario.
I don’t know the exact details to the situation, but it seems like MLSE is forcing McCabe’s hand. I realize that he would be doing himself (and the team) a favour by getting out of there, but he did ask for a no-movement clause (which he got) and I think he feels disrespected and threatened by the organization. McCabe’s not a guy that would back down from a fight or media-infused story, so it seems fairly normal to me for him to absolutely refuse to move. How this pans out is anyone’s guess, but I think we’ve yet to hear a word from McCabe about the situation.
Most hockey stories here are sexified, but you can’t deny the fact that MLSE, being under the microscope for eternity, was being absolutely stupid and careless.
By Jon on Jun 28, 2008
Wrong, wrong and ah wrong…
First thing if you know anything about the Toronto market he said she said doesn’t work mainly because then everybody would be saying something (ie Howard Burger). So unless somebody has proof thaat Fletch said that, then we should all CHILL..
“It sounds like Fletcher’s ultimatum is either waive your no-trade clause, or be prepared to be waived, bought out, or demoted”
Second, You can’t waive him, and if Fletcher wanted to buy him out he would and last, you can’t demonte him, why? NMC - That stands for No Movement Clause and it means he will not be moved anywhere unless he lets them including the minors.
Third, Try fighting 20 - 25,000 people every night for the next three years. Toronto fans enjoy booeing more than cheering, give them a reason to boo and look out.
Fourth, McCabes career will be over if he stays in toronto. He will get limited ice time, his stats will be bad and he will be labled a player that is selfish.
By Jason C on Jun 28, 2008
From TSN: “Sources tell TSN the Maple Leafs approached McCabe’s agent, Ian Pulver before the NHL Entry Draft hoping to encourage the veteran defenceman to waive his no-movement clause to open the door for a trade.”
That’s all I’ve had to work with, and I made a post with what was available. I did not say definitively what McCabe’s future or Fletcher’s plans were. After all, this is the “Rumours” section, and everyone knows that rumours are just league gossip and speculation.
I corrected the NTC to NMC in my reply to scotty. I wasn’t made aware of the fact until two days ago, and I haven’t changed the original post.
You’re right - Toronto fans love booing, nothing can change that. But even if you don’t give them a reason to boo, they’ll find people to boo. Whether it’s McCabe or someone else it doesn’t matter - they’ll find someone to boo. You have to have a pretty thick skin to play in Toronto.