McCABE TO FLORIDA
The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Bryan McCabe from the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Mike Van Ryn and a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.
What does it give the Florida Panthers
In McCabe, the Panthers add a solid blueliner with above-average offensive ability--particularly on the power play. He should make an impact on a Panthers team largely devoid of natural offensive talent. McCabe could form a potent No. 1 pairing alongside Jay Bouwmeester. Adding a fourth-round pick in 2010 was a coup for Cats GM Jacques Martin.
What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs finally rid themselves of the headache that was the McCabe situation. In so doing, Toronto decided to keep fellow veteran blueliner Pavel Kubina as Tomas Kaberle's defense partner--instead of McCabe. Van Ryn, if healthy, should be serviceable on a blueline brigade that is suddenly heavy on right-handed shots. Van Ryn could also see a little time on the power play in 2008-09.
Fantasy impact
