Florida Panthers

Does McCabe make Panthers better?

At long last the rumoured trade of Brian McCabe to the Florida Panthers has actually been finalized earlier this week. The Panthers shipped Mike Van Ryn to the Leafs for McCabe and a 4th round pick in 2010. Not a bad deal for the Panthers actually. Although I know some Leaf fans out there could not wait for McCabe to leave, I actually think the change of scenery will help Brian out, and he can be fairly obscure down here for awhile as he will be unrecognized in public by most people off the ice, and if he has any brain cramps on the ice, well, don’t worry, we’re used to those!

From everything that I have read, both biased and unbiased, and from what I have seen of McCabe here is what I think the Panthers are getting. A player who works hard on the ice every night, who gives 110% all the time. Doesn’t take a shift off, willing to block shots, deliver the body check when needed, has a wicked slap shot, and is a fairly decent defender, and most of all is a good teammate. A good guy to have in the dressing room and someone that will provide some leadership.

Now I know there are Leaf fans out there who were ready to crucify McCabe many times, but as we all know things in Leafsnation tend to be magnified. I am not saying that those mistakes that he made didn’t deserve the criticism that he received, but maybe it was alittle too much.
Let’s face it, no one is perfect and I realize that for the money he’s getting, everyone expected better. However if you listen to what some of his teammates said after the trade, or read what they were saying about Brian, he’s going to be missed.

So, did Uncle Jack really improve the Panthers? Well, losing Van Ryn is no big deal. Haven’t had him for the past two years anyway, so I can only hope he has better luck in Toronto. McCabe however adds some dimensions that the Panthers have been lacking. A Puck moving defenseman, a player that can quarterback your powerplay, and someone that can play 22-25 minutes a night. He can play in the last few minutes of a game, and can be on both the power play and penalty kill. I for one and very pleased to have him with the Panthers. He immediatley makes the Panthers defense better, which may be hard for some to believe. With the addition of McCabe, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton, the Panthers defense is pretty solid. If Jay Bouwmeester stays, and grows to the next level, this is a pretty good unit. Let’s not forget Bryan Allen as well.

Three years ago McCabe has 68 points in 73 games followed by 57 the year after, playing all 82 games. He broke his hand last year which limited him to 54 games and 23 points, but if he can return to form, the Panthers have a chance (slight) to make the playoffs. Also, I think that McCabe’s puck possession skills are better than he is been given credit for.
Also, looking at some recent stats since the lockout, in 209 games the Leafs were 106-77-26 with McCabe in the lineup, and 11-22-4 without him in the lineup. Coincidental? Maybe, but look at this:
Goals for with McCabe the average was 3.10, without 2.41.
Goals against with McCabe the average was 3.07, without 3.76.

Somehow I think he makes a difference, and for a team like the Panthers, this dramatically improves them defensively as well as offensively. Our powerplay numbers should improve with McCabe at the point.

So, the addtions that the Panthers have made with McCabe, Cory Stillman, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and what ever rookies make the roster this year will determine their success, or failure. Is it enough? The big question remains, will the Panthers be starving for goals this year?
We’ll have to examine that!

Thanks for reading!