Is Bryan McCabe Worth It?

The question that a lot of Leaf fans, or just hockey fans in general, have been asking ever since the epic McCabe deal was signed is...

“Is he worth it?” 

In the current year he is making approximately $7.15 million, dropping to $6.15 million next year and $4.15 for the remaining two. Last year McCabe tallied up 57 points, enough for 10^th in the league while managing to keep a +3.

The top 9 of the league, for points, were:                                                                                                                                                                                                 Scott Niedermayer – 69 points / +6 / 6.75 million                                          
Sergei Gonchar – 67 points / -5 / 4.5 million                                               
Sheldon Souray – 64 points / -28 / 2.4 million                                                   
Dan Boyle – 63 points / -5 / 3.625 million                                                     
Nicklas Lidstrom – 62 points / +40 / 7.6 million                                                
Chris Pronger – 59 points / +27 / 6.25 million                                                   
Ryan Whitney – 59 points / +9 / 0.96 million                                                     Lubomir Visnovsky – 58 points / +1 / 1.9 million

Interesting facts about the players on this chart: Neidermayer? Retired. Souray? $6.25 million. Whitney? He now makes $2.5 million/year and increasing by half a million a year until he hits $5.5 million. Visnovsky signed a contract extension that kicks in next year at $5.65 million for 5 years.

When you look at these stats, one thinks that McCabe becomes a weak deal, but nothing horrible.  You have Lidstrom making the same money, but as a +40. You have Niedermayer making slightly less and only tallying 12 more points and being 3 higher with respect to +/-.  The problem is with the Leaf media and the Leaf fans. This current season McCabe is down to making $6.150 million dollars.

If he keeps his stats relatively close to that of last year’s, which the way the team has been playing of late might be hard, he would be a good sign. Also to factor in that the last two years of his contract are only for $4.150 million, if he keeps his numbers, he would be a great deal for those final two years.

However when you go ask a Leaf fan what they think about McCabe, they talk about how he is such a defensive liability and how horrible of a contract it is. If they had signed him for $6 million a year would the fans be happy? What about 5? What about 4? …or is it just that Leaf fans aren’t happy? Maybe if the fans become happy the Leafs might start winning again.

This article stemmed from my Halloween costume. Which can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/17174628@N04/1817882836/ why did the majority of people agree with me? I don't think they should have.