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Two Minutes for Instigating Hockey Blog

'Two Minutes for Instigating' is an exclusive blog to Sportscity. I am a Toronto Maple Leaf fan and will have plenty to say about them, but I will also be commenting on NHL news and rumors, stats, hockey trivia, and numerous rants on the NHL in general.


What to do with you Bryan McCabe…..

Written Mark E on October, 16th 2007 | 3 Comments

 
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Oh Bryan McCabe...what to say...What to do with you...You've been hacked/laughed in the media for scoring on your own net last night, are the butt of many jokes, and are constantly being booed...I'm actually starting to feel sorry for you, you can't seem to do anything right. Scoring on your own net, to tripping over the net, to leaving your man alone in the slot.

Since he's pretty much untradeable because of his large salary ($5.75 million cap #) and no a trade clause, the Leafs are stuck with him. He could use a change of scenery, or maybe a change of position?..

Why not try McCabe up on the wing? He's got decent size, a good shot, not afraid to take the body and has average speed...It would also mask mistakes he's prone to making, which would lessen the boo birds, and maybe bring some confidence back. He could drop back to 'D' for power plays. The Leafs have plently of offensive defenseman, and are deep at that position, so moving McCabe up may be worth a shot. Stralman, Colaiacovo, or Kronwall could step in and be the 6th d-man. If they need a tougher team for a game or two, Belak could always drop back to the point. Give it try, it can't get any worse.

Alexei Ponikarovsky could be back in the Maple Leafs lineup by the weekend, and the same goes for Kyle Wellwood. Colaiacovo may return sometime next week. It's too bad all 3 players are offensive minded, the Leafs desperately need some players who know what the word 'Defense' means. Their overall team defense has been terrible, giving up over 90 shots in the last 2 games.


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Comments


Mark E:


 
Wednesday, Oct 17th, 2007  at  02:09 am

When the guys were over there Saturday night, I suggested they put him on the wing on the PP. In the spot that Tucker played last year (remember the PP was good, with Sundin in the corner, Wellwood behind the net and Tucker in the circle on the opposite side?)…he is a liability on the blue line right now on the PP as well, and Ian White should be out there with Kaberle.

What the Leafs really need to do, is sort out his defence. Play him tons of minutes, hide his D as best they can, and hope he piles up points for a few months. And then, they may be able to trade him.

Otherwise, they ship him out now for another bad contract – and he will be all-star some place else. Seriously, you put him in Minnesota right now, and he is All-Star.

 

Mark E:


 
Wednesday, Oct 17th, 2007  at  07:34 am

I am remined of a MASH episode when Hawkeye had the yips in the operating room. The psychiatist offered something like this “Please take my advice, just pull down your pants and slide on the ice” Perhaps Brian could try that, in other words, relax, play the game you love, let your senses flow and play loose, or just pull down your pants and…...
The whole Toronto defence is in dissaray not just Mr. McCabe. The team continually breaks down under pressure and that is a coaching deficieny, they have no system. There has been no improvement,they look the same as they did under Pat Quinn and he took a lot of flack for not having a defensive system.
Don’t get me wrong, McCabe has been terrible but he has lots of company.

 

Mark E:


 
Thursday, Oct 18th, 2007  at  02:07 am

I agree with you Neil, McCabe just gets singled out b/c of his contract. The defense seems to be in disarray in their zone, taking the wrong man, or not covering the open man. The forwards also need to improve on their defensive zone coverage.

Toskala and Raycroft better get use to facing 40 shots a game if they can’t figure out their defensive coverage

 

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{!--Wednesday, Oct 17th, 2007 at 02:20 am --}

Tracked on Sports News, Features and Interesting Statistics-Bryan McCabe


{!-- I agree, play him on the PP but Let’s not forget that although not a defensive defensman, he still works best at his defense position. Let’s max out his conrtibution for 4 million a year but not try to squeeze too much out of him… Tha... --}