Florida Panthers general manager Jacques Martin would not comment on various reports coming out of Toronto that Florida was close to acquiring Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe in exchange for fellow defenseman Mike Van Ryn.
McCabe, 33, has reportedly waived his no-trade clause after a tough season in Toronto in which the team's highest-paid player was routinely booed. McCabe's season took a turn south after he inadvertently knocked in a puck on Oct. 15 that allowed Buffalo to beat the Leafs in overtime. 'Bryan McKlutz' was the headline in the Toronto Sun the following day.
''You know I don't comment on rumors,'' Martin said from his office in Sunrise. ``If I did, that's all I would do.''
Cliff Fletcher, the Leafs' interim general manager, told The Globe and Mail, ''There's nothing going on right now.'' Fletcher added that McCabe ``is considering what options he has.''
Canada's TSN is reporting that a deal between the Panthers and Maple Leafs is done, the only sticking point being that a trade won't be completed until after Sept. 1. McCabe is due a $2 million payment from the Leafs as part of his deferred signing bonus.
After that, however, McCabe could be free to come south in time for training camp. Sportsnet.ca is also reporting that McCabe has waived his movement clause in anticipation of joining the Panthers.
Van Ryn, 29, has been slowed the past two seasons because of various wrist injuries and surgeries. Van Ryn played in 20 games last season before opting for more surgery on his right wrist. Van Ryn says time has allowed the wrist to heal properly and he's been on a workout kick -- on and off the ice -- this summer.
A native of London, Ontario, Van Ryn would be headed closer to home if a trade goes through. Of course, he now considers South Florida home.
''I haven't heard anything, so I still consider myself a Florida Panther,'' Van Ryn said Thursday night. ``[Toronto] would be home, I guess, but my home is here. It would be quite an adjustment. But whatever happens, happens. If the Panthers want to move me, they will. But I like it here. I'm just going on about my business.''
McCabe, once paid his $2 million from the Leafs, would be paid $4.15 million in each of the next three seasons. McCabe's hit against the salary cap would be $5.75 million -- the average cost of the five-year, $29 million contract he signed with the Leafs prior to the 2006-07 season. The Panthers currently have a payroll of close to $50 million with room to spare under the $56 million cap.
A 12-year NHL veteran, McCabe has played for the Islanders (who drafted him in the second round overall in 1993), Vancouver and Chicago before being traded to Toronto in 2000 in exchange for former Florida defenseman Alexander Karpovstev. McCabe only scored five goals with 18 assists in 54 games last season, a bigfrom his previous three seasons in which he surpassed the 50-point plateau.
McCabe, 33, has reportedly waived his no-trade clause after a tough season in Toronto in which the team's highest-paid player was routinely booed. McCabe's season took a turn south after he inadvertently knocked in a puck on Oct. 15 that allowed Buffalo to beat the Leafs in overtime. 'Bryan McKlutz' was the headline in the Toronto Sun the following day.
''You know I don't comment on rumors,'' Martin said from his office in Sunrise. ``If I did, that's all I would do.''
Cliff Fletcher, the Leafs' interim general manager, told The Globe and Mail, ''There's nothing going on right now.'' Fletcher added that McCabe ``is considering what options he has.''
Canada's TSN is reporting that a deal between the Panthers and Maple Leafs is done, the only sticking point being that a trade won't be completed until after Sept. 1. McCabe is due a $2 million payment from the Leafs as part of his deferred signing bonus.
After that, however, McCabe could be free to come south in time for training camp. Sportsnet.ca is also reporting that McCabe has waived his movement clause in anticipation of joining the Panthers.
Van Ryn, 29, has been slowed the past two seasons because of various wrist injuries and surgeries. Van Ryn played in 20 games last season before opting for more surgery on his right wrist. Van Ryn says time has allowed the wrist to heal properly and he's been on a workout kick -- on and off the ice -- this summer.
A native of London, Ontario, Van Ryn would be headed closer to home if a trade goes through. Of course, he now considers South Florida home.
''I haven't heard anything, so I still consider myself a Florida Panther,'' Van Ryn said Thursday night. ``[Toronto] would be home, I guess, but my home is here. It would be quite an adjustment. But whatever happens, happens. If the Panthers want to move me, they will. But I like it here. I'm just going on about my business.''
McCabe, once paid his $2 million from the Leafs, would be paid $4.15 million in each of the next three seasons. McCabe's hit against the salary cap would be $5.75 million -- the average cost of the five-year, $29 million contract he signed with the Leafs prior to the 2006-07 season. The Panthers currently have a payroll of close to $50 million with room to spare under the $56 million cap.
A 12-year NHL veteran, McCabe has played for the Islanders (who drafted him in the second round overall in 1993), Vancouver and Chicago before being traded to Toronto in 2000 in exchange for former Florida defenseman Alexander Karpovstev. McCabe only scored five goals with 18 assists in 54 games last season, a bigfrom his previous three seasons in which he surpassed the 50-point plateau.
