Avoids arbitration next year with a two-year deal McCabe feeling optimistic as well, his agent says
MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER
Bryan McCabe was probably feeling a lot better yesterday when the Leafs announced a new two-year deal for Wade Belak.
The Leafs' two arbitration-eligible players appeared to be going in opposite directions — Belak to a signing and McCabe to the school of hard bargaining — until Belak's deal came together a bit earlier than expected.
The two-year deal gives the defenceman security through an expected labour stoppage next season and is a sign the Leafs want to wrap up their arbitration eligible Group II players instead of facing the same process next summer.
The Leafs made a qualifying offer of 10 per cent over his $770,000 (all figures U.S.) salary last season, which is mandatory under NHL guidelines for players making the minimum salary. He declined arbitration but had until July 31 to work out a deal.
McCabe had a qualifying offer of $2.85 million, his salary from last season, and turned down his right to file for arbitration. It now appears he is in line for at least a two-year deal and should have slightly greater leverage for an increase in salary.
"No, we're not close, but by the same token, I think there's constructive dialogue," McCabe's agent, Jeff Solomon, said last night.
"In the discussions, we're talking about the same things, so there's real optimism there. There's no one standard must-have number in the number of years. We're both discussing options, and I'd characterize the talks in the discussion phase right now."
The Leafs would probably like to keep McCabe on a one-year deal, then revisit the contract next summer if the 28-year-old defenceman turns in a better season than last year, or the labour picture becomes clearer.
But McCabe has some added leverage despite his sub-par season of last. The Leafs remain very confident in his potential, and are in limbo with the Robert Svehla retirement mess, which makes McCabe their best defenceman at the moment.
In addition, Ottawa resigned Wade Redden — one of the best statistical defenceman in the league — to a three-year, $14.1 million deal yesterday. And while it's not a figure McCabe can demand, it is a standard he can at least refer to in negotiations with the Leafs.
"He likes us and we like him ... he wants to play in Toronto," Leafs assistant GM Mike Penny said yesterday. The Leafs have dropped communications with Svehla after last week's surprise request for $200,000 for a junior team in his native Slovakia as a condition of his dropping the $4 million option on his contract.
There were some mild rumblings the Leafs were interested in Washington free agent defenceman Ken Klee, or in trades for Buffalo's Alexei Zhitnik and Calgary's Bob Boughner.
Boughner, though, was dealt to Carolina yesterday for a fourth-round pick and future considerations.
Meanwhile, the Leafs also signed minor league goalie Jamie Hodson to a one-year deal yesterday.
And Leafs coach Pat Quinn is expected back in Toronto next week and may sit in on contract discussions for Group II restricted free agent Nik Antropov.
With Ric Jackman signing Tuesday, the Leafs' only other unsigned Group II players are Karel Pilar and Alexei Ponikarovsky.
