Commenting on a rumor
January 30th, 2008, 10:29 am
Toronto might be ready to make a big trade, shipping out McCabe, Antropov and Raycroft to a Western Conference team. To me, it makes sense that this is San Jose. It addresses several needs we have, improving our toughness/offensive output from the blueline, size up front and goal production and a back-up netminder if Nabby gets hurt. Since San Jose and Toronto have been linked all season and Marleau has always been in the picture – let’s assume he is part of the deal.
To Toronto:
Patrick Marleau (2 years left at 6.3 per)
Christian Ehrhoff (RFA at the end of the year) or Vlasic (1 year left at 0.7)
Joe Pavelski (RFA at the end of the year)
To San Jose:
Brian McCabe (who would have to waive his NTC/14.3 million and 3 years left)
Nik Antropov (1 year left at 2.1)
Andrew Raycroft (1 year left at 2.2)
San Jose has the cap room to pull this off and the young assets to spare. This saves Toronto a ton of dough, gets them younger and allows some flexibility for future improvements. It makes sense for both teams and certainly makes San Jose better right now. McCabe’s contract isn’t as bad as it seems, he is the power play quarterback/100 PIM defensemen DW has wanted for years and his salary is large in 08-09 at 6 million, but declines to 4.0 million in 09-10 and 10-11. A bargain if you ask me. The knock on McCabe is defensive irresponsibilty, but I don’t see it reflected in his numbers. He is a career +35 and last season was a +3.
Isn’t it possible that Vlasic was sent down to showcase the fact that he can perform on the powerplay? He stated as much in the paper yesterday, saying they wanted him to work on being more aggressive in the offensive zone. He was more active last night than before. Could that bizarre move have been part of this trade – to show Vlasic is more than a stay at home D-man? Just thinking out loud…
What do you think? Assuming this is on the tabe – do you pull the trigger?
Loading ...
as a Leaf fan i say we jump on this. Raycroft has to go and the Sharks need a backup. i’ve never been enamoured with Antropov’s play prior to this year and McCabe has really taken it on the chin in Toronto this year.
i like the idea of adding Pavelski since he could bring everything to the table (eventually) that Antropov brings now and Ehrhoff would take up some of the slack created by the loss of McCabe although Kaberle will carry most of the weight for that D corps. the wildcard is Marleau. i personally think he just needs a change of scenery and this is definitely that.
yes, i’d do this if i were the Leafs.
I would rather see Rob Davison strap on the goalie gear than have Raycroft as our backup.
I think Robby D would if he were asked…
I think if we partner with Toronto we’d need to get Kaberle. Replace Bernier for Pavelski and Vlasic for Ehrhoff and maybe? No, probably not.
you won’t get Kaberle. not happening, at least it better not.
i’m fine with exchanging Vlasic for Ehrhoff but would rather stick with Pavelski instead of Bernier.
I’m not sure why McCabe would waive his NTC to go to the West Coast. The only places he wanted to be when he was contemplating Free Agency two years ago were Toronto and the NY area. San Jose is about as far away from there as you can get. I don’t see this deal happening.
I don’t see the Leafs trying to ship out Antropov either. Also San Jose is deep at Centre right now, and unlikely to need the extra size.
I buy the D for D and Goalie toss in argument… but this deal doesn’t strike me as likely.
No wonder this deal makes little sense… it’s source is Eklund.
This team doesn’t need Shelley. I’m convinced after watching last night’s game Grier can handle the enforcer rule. He only lost the fight last night because Nolan hit him with his colostomy bag.
Last’s night’s loss has to be pinned on Nabby. I guess we can forgive him for having an off night. Nice little treat for his old pal Owen though, eh?
I wouldn’t give full blame to Nabby, but it would have been a 4-4 tie without his giveaway. I don’t think we should push the panic button after last night. The Sharks lost a tough one to a good team at home and played hard.
This would be a brutal first round matchup, as implied by Drew and Randy on TV last night.
Last nights game was on the team should’ve scrapped and won for Nabby. How many times has he bailed this team out when they were playing poor? It’s now time for the team to start repaying the favor to Nabby.
Also, I don’t like this trade. I wouldn’t send out Patty AND Pavs in this this. One or the other and maybe include a prospect. Raycroft is going to be a “throw in” in a deal done with toronto much like Bell was with Vesa this off season. Not someone we should lose another player for.
Do you think that McCabe and Antropov are worth Marleau, Ehrhoff AND Pavelski? I’m not sold on Antropov myself.