According to TSN, much-maligned blue-liner Bryan McCabe will allegedly be headed to South Florida on September 1st (the date when he collects an owed signing bonus from the Leafs), seemingly making the long-time Maple Leaf the next casualty of Cliff Fletcher's mandated quest to re-shape the meat of the Toronto roster.
McCabe doesn't appear to be going alone, according to a TSN report. The questions as to who will accompany McCabe on the way out the door - and which asset(s) will come the Leafs' way - will be the subjects of cogitation and speculation for the next two weeks and a half in Leafland. I figured I would throw my hat into the proverbial ring nice and early.
One name that has been regularly bandied about in Maple Leaf trade speculation is Ian White. Upon his admission into the Leafs' line-up as full-time blue-liner in 06/07, White appeared to have the potential to develop into a strong two-way defender. There wasn't evidence of further development last year, as White finished a -9 and revealed a frightening penchant for deadly giveaways. It seems unlikely to me, however, that Florida is looking for any additional defensemen in the deal. Their blue-line looks set, and in fact a bit logjammed, with Nick Boynton, Keith Ballard, Karlis Strastins, Bryan Allen, Mike Van Ryn, and figuratively Bryan McCabe (also, Jay Bouwmeester for some period of time, at least) comprising their top 6 defensemen. There will also be competition for a spot from Noah Welch and Rory Fitzpatrick, with likes of Cory Murphy and Martin Lojek in reserve. Ian White would be swallowed up in that depth (as may be with the Leafs, too). I don't see any particular need to peddle White, regardless. He is coming off an unconvincing sophomore year, but it must be taken into consideration how defensively poor the Leafs were as a whole last season. The entire blue-line corps was regularly thrown in a loop by Paul Maurice's ever-changing defensive system and White seemed particularly effected by that. I see little downside in allowing White an opportunity to rebound in a Wilson-operated system.
I think we'll see the Maple Leafs move a winger alongside Bryan McCabe, should the rumours of a package deal be valid. The trade candidate that immediately comes to mind is left-winger Alexei Ponikarovsky, a player who's been rumoured in Toronto circles as being on the block since Fletcher's arrival. The two-way role on his wing has been assumed by summer signing Niklas Hagman. Fletcher also appears to already have Nik Kulemin penciled into his line-up. Hagman came to Toronto with the idea of top 6 minutes in mind and Kulemin will be given every opportunity in the top two lines as well. Ponikarovsky could serve as a 3rd line checking winger, but hasn't been overly effective with line-mates other than Nik Antropov. Also, spots must be left available for youngsters such as Jeremy Williams and Robbie Earl to compete for.
My guess (or hope) is that defenseman Mike Van Ryn is the northbound Panther. Firstly, Fletcher loves local boys... Van Ryn is from London, Ontario. The Maple Leafs are looking for a replacement for McCabe on that second power-play unit, and Van Ryn can supply that. He's a two-way player with a canon of a point shot. There is reason to be concerned about the wrist ailments that have plagued Van Ryn for the past two seasons. Van Ryn posted 8 goals and 16 points on the powerplay for the Cats back in 05/06. However, he couldn't maintain this scoring clip in 06/07 largely due to the advent of some serious wrist problems. He played through the pain that season and put off surgery (on both wrists) until the summer. Last fall, Van Ryn discovered that his right wrist wasn't fully repaired. He made a go of it, but after a very slow start to the year he shut it down after 20 games and again went under the knife. This off-season, Van Ryn has been quoted in the media as saying he's back to full fitness and is ready to get back to business. Many fantasy experts have tabbed Van Ryn as a worthwhile sleeper pick for poolies as he seems primed for a rebound year. Perhaps the Panthers still see Van Ryn as a constituent of their power-play, but with McCabe coming the other way, in addition to early summer acquisitions Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard, Van Ryn isn't quite as essential to their plans going forward. The Maple Leafs would have a deep and balanced unit composed of Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, Mike Van Ryn, Carlo Colaiacovo Anton Stralman, Jeff Finger, Ian White and Jonas Frogren. Kaberle, Kubina, Van Ryn and Stralman would constitute a solid group of power-play point-men. This defensive depth chart resembles a logjam, but with the introduction of a new coach and system, it seems that allowing the situation to play itself out and evaluating the response of certain players to this new setup - and proceeding accordingly - may be the best way to solve the "problem."
Van Ryn's stock isn't overly high at this point as a player coming off of two injury-plagued seasons, perhaps opening up the possibility of retrieving a mid level prospect or pick in the deal. At a $2.9 million cap hit, he's reasonably priced taking into account today's economic landscape. Considering the fact that the Leafs have to take back salary, a deal for Van Ryn is one of the best possible scenarios in that regard.
One should also consider the rugged and monstrous Noah Welch, who's also the archetype Fletcher player. But I think a player of Van Ryn's ilk, who offers more skill, better replaces McCabe on the Leafs' blue-line. (As an aside, I don't think many fully realize Jeff Finger's ability to supply a physical presence. After looking into Finger a little more extensively, it seems he is very effective at taking the opposition out of the play and he does so with authority). It's also known that the Maple Leafs are going to be taking back some salary in this deal and Welch earns $650K (effectively making it a salary dump).
Your guess is as good as mine, but I think Van Ryn alongside a prospect and/or pick, will be sent to the Maple Leafs in exchange for Bryan McCabe and Alexei Ponikarovsky.
Its all speculation at this point, but it appears we'll know for certain come September 1st.
Join the Discussion:
»