TORONTO (July 4) -- When the NHLPA hired former Maple Leafs' goalie Glenn Healy as director of player affairs last month, it knew it was getting a man that would fervently defend the rights of its membership. That became more than evident earlier today, when Healy spoke in direct terms about the increasing conflict between the Leafs and veteran defenseman Bryan McCabe. Though Healy is confident the people involved are capable of reaching an affable agreement, he warned that the P.A. will not stand by and allow the Leafs to desecrate McCabe.
"I think this situation can be resolved amicably, and there is plenty of time for that to happen," Healy told me in a phone conversation. "The Leafs have a summer to look at all the options and come up with a solution that is viable to both sides. They do not have the right to destroy Bryan McCabe's career. They gave him as restrictive a contract as there is in the NHL today. If they want to go to the most extreme of situations and tell him they will pay him to stay at home, the artillery will be released from our end. The P.A. will back Bryan to the grave, I guarantee it."
McCabe and the Leafs are embroiled in a dispute that has no easy resolution. At least, not one that is apparent. The hockey club clearly wishes to move forward without the long-time defenseman, but is bound by a contract that has three years of term remaining, and an inflexible no-movement clause. McCabe cannot be traded, or placed on waivers. The Maple Leafs have only the option of buying out the balance of his contract -- a move they chose not to exercise in the initial window of opportunity. There is a second window that relates to the arbitration process, but it's unlikely the hockey club will relent.
Which lends itself to the possibility the Leafs will inform McCabe he is not welcomed at training camp in September; that they will honour his contract and all its variables [such as a $5.75-million salary cap hit in each of the next three seasons], but will instruct him to stay away from the team. Given that McCabe will be 36 when his deal expires, that isn't a pleasing alternative. And, it's one that Healy says the NHLPA vehemently opposes.
"Bryan McCabe has lots of hockey left, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are not going to tell him to stay at home... not a chance," said the goalie that wore the Blue & White jersey from 1997 to 2001. "You can't destroy a player's craft by sitting him at home and basically telling him, 'your career is over.' That type of action would be something for the legal minds at the P.A. to deal with. And, if it goes there, it will come down to an arbitrator deciding the issue. But, there will be absolutely no limit to what the Players' Association will try to throw at [the Leafs]. We'll go at it hard. Bryan is a solid guy who's been around a long time. He negotiated his contract in good faith, without a gun being pointed at his or the Leafs' head. Both parties should abide by it. I don't see how the Leafs can take this player's career and denounce it to the point where they call it over."
Healy also cannot fathom why Maple Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher appears to be threatening McCabe's value on the trade market -- should the blueliner ultimately choose to waive his contract privileges. "It does [Fletcher] no good to diminish the skills of Bryan McCabe," Healy said, "especially when you look at contracts that are being handed out around the league to players that aren't even close to Bryan in ability. If you diminish this player by telling the entire hockey world that you will leave him at home, you are making an enormous mistake. You will not be able to trade that asset. No chance. You're basically telling everyone he is so lousy that you're going to pay him this kind of money to stay away. How does that reach out to 29 other general managers and tell them, 'come get my asset?'"
It is widely believed the New York Islanders would be willing to assume the remaining $14.5 million of McCabe's contract in a transaction with the Leafs. But, a source in New York claims that Isles' GM Garth Snow has played hardball with Fletcher in prospective trade discussions -- asking him for a draft pick to go along with McCabe, as a "favour" for taking the defenseman's contract off his hands. Healy cannot figure out why any of this is happening. "I don't see the 'win' here," he said. "How can the Leafs trade Bryan if they're telling everyone else he's no good? And, it's not like they have much ground to stand on. I mean, the Leafs aren't exactly the Detroit Red Wings. They didn't just win the Cup.
"If I'm the GM and you can't work out an agreement right away, you bring the player back and welcome him with open arms. And, at the appropriate moment -- it might be this year or next year -- that player understands the situation and a move is made. But, if the Leafs tell Bryan to stay at home, it won't work. We'll support him in every way possible."
As for the concept of the Maple Leafs "bringing McCabe to his knees", so to speak, Healy becomes sardonic. "With that type of a welcome mat, I can't see why there isn't a rush for all the free agents in the world to come and sign with the hockey club. I mean, that's just a wonderful way to treat a player. The hockey world is a small community, and word spreads fast. You look at some teams that get it, and you find guys like Marian Hossa who will turn down long deals and much bigger money to have a chance at winning a Cup [in Detroit].
"There's no chance players will want to come to Toronto under these circumstances. When a team gives a player a no-movement clause then turns around and basically says, 'Well, I know we signed that, but we don't care,' it doesn't do much for reputation."
Through all of this, Healy does, however, believe that Fletcher and McCabe can reach a solution. "Like I said, there's time to do that, and I have respect for both parties. But, it cannot be done the way it seems to be playing out right now."
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