FLAMESTR

"[email protected]"

Calgary, AB • Canada • 55 Years Old • Male

TIME TO STICK UP FOR MCCABE TAKE THAT LEAFS FANS

Nothing bothers me more when people unmercifully belittle someone. Don't get me wrong; as a fan, you have the right to voice your opinion towards the players. But to me, there should be a limit to the continuous slamming of Mr. McCabe. I don't mind people stating whether they like him or not. But attacking him or his family is just plain wrong.

I can hear the Maple Leafs fans running all over my face right now because of my opinion of McCabe. Yes, I think that the Leafs need to trade him. But, consider this please before you jump all over him: he owes the Maple Leafs nothing. All he is doing is exercising his right to use the NTC clause in his contract.

Hey people, stop being mad at McCabe, he is only exercising the right that he was given in his contract. If you must be mad at someone, be mad at the Leafs for giving it to him. McCabe has done nothing wrong and should not be treated like he has. Bear with me for a second. What exactly has he done wrong? All he has done is use the clause given to him in the contract.

I often hear fans and media getting mad at a player. Well, this time the team has to live up to its contract. Benching him until he waives? For what purpose? You think you are going to have players jumping up and down to come to a team that does that? The Leafs are going to be careful how they handle this, because I can tell you this: other players are going to be watching very carefully.

They still have to come across as still nice to play for. The mystique of wearing a Leaf can only carry so far. As GM, you have to be careful how you do things. Quite often, the personal relations work is important. I loathe the idea of Leafs benching McCabe until he gives in. I feel that's just as bad as a player not coming in until they renegotiate a new contract. Don’t teams have to live up to their contract as much as the player does?

The rights of the management have not been violated. At the meeting, was there some evil force holding a gun to their heads when they offered a lucrative contract to McCabe. What -- were they hoodwinked into signing it? Maybe it is because they are incapable of running a business and were taken advantage of? No one made them offer this contract, they have to honor it. I am sorry, but I have no sympathy for the Leafs.

So my poll question to my friends was: Why would McCabe want to waive his no trade clause?


Lukas

"I just don't see why McCabe would want to be on a team that wants to trade him all the time. If I was him, I would give the Leafs a list of teams that I would go to."

Flamestr

That is a great point. Why would anyone want to stay where they are not wanted? Why put up with the grief of booing fans and a team that does not want your services? A great comment by Lukas

Larry

"McCabe can help decide his own destiny by agreeing to a trade and choosing his destination. It has been written that he might accept a trade to the Islanders, as he has a residence there. McCabe should waive the NTC to make his own destiny. Why wait around and let TML decide for him? They can buy him out. I think it is clear that the team wants to move on without him. McCabe must learn that as hurtful as that may be, take the high road, accept a trade to a team that he wants and be done with it."

Flamestr

Everyone loves to control their own life. We all want to be happy and enjoy our work and where we live, to make a niche in life. A great comment by Larry.

Alex (part 1)

"My thoughts on McCabe are as follows: I am not one of those guys who bashes McCabe. I feel he will be a huge addition to any team he plays on.

My thoughts on the McCabe situation is based more upon the situation with the fans last year. I think hearing Toronto fans booing a player like McCabe will be a distraction all year long on a team that is trying to start over. We will be playing youth and hoping to develop kids.....having them see fans turn on a player like McCabe will be counter-productive to the team. For those of you saying that he will not be booed, think about Larry Murphy."

Flamestr

Does Bryan really want to be a distraction and a hindrance to the team, or more importantly, to himself? Does Brian really want the pressure of everyone looking at him constantly? Would his play not suffer in the long run? Great comment by Alex.

Alex (part 2)

"I also think that the Leafs need to get rid of the country club attitudes of last year. What I mean by that is, why would a key player like McCabe want to play for a rebuilding team that will have no chance at the playoffs? The reason is because he has become too comfortable. He needs to play in a situation where hockey matters....where the playoffs are a definite possibility. If he has lost the desire for that, then he should retire. Players that are comfortable are no longer welcome on the team I cheer for."

Flamestr

Everyone wants the Cup, why wouldn’t McCabe want to play for a contender? Why not play for the Cup? Is that not every players dream? Thanks again, Alex.

Gagan

"This question really has no simple answer, for every player has a different situation and lives a different life outside of hockey. Bryan negotiated his NMC under good terms with previous Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr, so to be honest I don't believe he has to waive anything. However, if I were him, I would. I'd waive it under the condition Cliff Fletcher would be able to trade me to a team I want to play for or a city I want to live in. Immediately, Long Island comes to mind because his wife is from there, and they live there, not in Toronto, during the off-season. That is absolutely the best-case scenario, but when is the last time the Leafs had a story with a fairy-tale ending?

Why be somewhere you're not wanted? It's like the fat kid at school who gets picked on because of his size: Why would he go sit at the "cool" table to be picked on some more? If McCabe does not waive his NMC, he will become the fat kid and get picked on by millions of Leaf Nation followers daily."

Flamestr

Again, I completely agree with you. Bryan did negotiate with the Leafs in good faith. He does not have to waive. That being said, he does not want to stay where he is not wanted. He should at least have the say on where he goes. Great comment, Gagan.

CONCLUSION

I purposely asked my friends to answer the question from McCabe's point of view. I think we should never judge until we walk a mile in a man's shoes. I am not saying that we can't boo the players, but I just think that sometimes we forget their rights at times. Keep that in mind when you start attacking their heritage or family.

Flamestr

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