Well, its finally over. Thanks for everything pre-06/07 Bryan, and the few good nights you had in the last two years.

I’ll be tracking you in Florida…I hope you improve. I hope Van Ryn is okay. Best of luck.

The anticipated trade that would send veteran Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe to the Florida Panthers has been made official.

The long rumoured deal was held up while the Panthers waited for the Leafs to pay a $2 million bonus due to McCabe on Sept. 1.

With the payout, McCabe, 33, will earn $4.15 million in each of the final three seasons of the five-year, $29 million contract he signed with Toronto in 2006.

The Maple Leafs will receive defenceman Mike Van Ryn in exchange for McCabe and a fourth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

In order to complete the deal, McCabe had to waive his no-movement clause.

McCabe scored five goals and added 18 assists in an injury-plagued campaign that saw the St. Catharines, Ontario native miss 22 games with a broken hand.  He also became a scapegoat for Leaf fans after committing some high-profile defensive blunders, including an own-goal in overtime to hand the Buffalo Sabres a victory early in the season.

In 917 career games, McCabe has 115 goals and 303 assists and was named a second team All-Star in 2003-04.

McCabe’s salary cap hit for the next three seasons will be $5.75 million even though the Panthers will only have to pay him $4.15 million per season on the front-heavy deal.

The 29-year old Van Ryn has two years remaining on his contract and will earn $3.35 million each season, but his cap hit is only $2.9 million.

Last season, he recorded two assists in 20 games with the Panthers.  In 326 career games, the 29-year old defenceman has 27 goals and 91 assists.

According to Sportscenter, McCabe has been traded for Van Ryn. We also throw in a pick, likely the 3rd we traded for Kilger TO the Panthers. Say it aint so, TSN. I don’t like McCabe (obviously), but this deal is worse.

Regardless, it will be announced at 11 tommorow.

Sources tell TSN the anticipated trade that would send veteran Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe to the Florida Panthers will be made official by 11am et on Tuesday.

The deal was held up while the Panthers waited for the Leafs to pay a $2 million bonus due to McCabe on Sept. 1.

With the payout, McCabe, 33, will $4.15 million in each of the final three seasons of the five-year, $29 million contract he signed with Toronto in 2006.

The Maple Leafs will receive defenceman Mike Van Ryn in exchange for McCabe and a draft pick.

In order to complete the deal, McCabe had to waive his no-movement clause.

McCabe scored five goals and added 18 assists in an injury-plagued campaign that saw the St. Catharines, Ontario native miss 22 games with a broken hand.  He also became a scapegoat for Leaf fans after committing some high-profile defensive blunders, including an own-goal in overtime to hand the Buffalo Sabres a victory early in the season.

In 917 career games, McCabe has 115 goals and 303 assists and was named a second team All-Star in 2003-04.

Yeah, yeah, we all know about this. I’ll update this as we learn more in the coming days.

By the way, the hot question is - will I keep this site up when he’s traded to Florida? YES! But expect a redesign. Probably in a sleek red…

http://www.theinsideronpittsburghsports.com/2008/08/kings-picking-up-pursuit-of-sydor.html

DePoli has been solid with rumors the last two months…I’ve worked with him a bit on The Faceoff Circle when I did my UFA Live Blog.

I’m shocked we’d get this little for Bryan though. He really should be gone, but for no salary and a 4th? I assume this means Sundin is back and someone else will be too.

If I’m Fletcher and there is any truth to this I try and get our 2nd rounder back if we’re going the Cap Dump route.

Glenn Healy was just on the Fan 590 saying that the NHLPA will “bring out the artillery” against the Leafs if they bench McCabe next year, saying they’re ruining his career.

If Bryan is so concerned abouth is career, can’t he just waive his no movement clause?

From TSN

One player who survived the Maple Leafs’ purge was defenceman Bryan McCabe, who would cost the  Leafs about $3 million a year for the next three years and $1.6 million a year for an additional three years if he was bought out. Fletcher added that McCabe’s signing bonus would still have to be paid in full, and not at the same two-thirds’ rate his salary would be owed.

“Sometimes you make business decisions,” he said. “At this stage we’re not interested in buying Bryan McCabe out. It’s a business decision that doesn’t make any sense at this time.”

So, anyone else see that the only reason he’s still a leaf is because a buyout would be nonsense?

By the way, I’m excited about Schenn - anyone else the same?

Sorry for the lack of updates in the last little while - but Mr. McCabe has done nothing positive or negative lately. He’s just…been a normal person. Which is just fine in my opinion.

Just putting this out there so people know this site still is active.

Its finally done!