TORONTO - Cliff Fletcher may no longer be viewed as a lovable grandpa because of his decisive personnel moves recently, but he says he is not a bully.
The 72-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs general manager granted the Montreal Canadiens exclusive rights to negotiate with long-time captain Mats Sundin and bought out beloved forward Darcy Tucker. But Friday he denied he has played hardball to force defenceman Bryan McCabe into accepting a trade.
"We don't threaten people," he said in a phone interview from a rented cottage, where he and his wife are enjoying some rare down time.
What Fletcher said the Leafs have done is ask McCabe if he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause. Reportedly, the defenceman refused and his agent suggested Toronto should buy him out of the remaining years of his contract.
Fletcher said that is not an option, though.
In order for both parties to sever ties, the Leafs would have to pay McCabe two-thirds of what he is owed - almost $3 million US per season - plus a reported $2-million US_bonus due on Sept. 15. Having already bought out Tucker on Wednesday and goaltender Andrew Raycroft on Thursday, Toronto would prefer not to absorb any more buyout money under the salary cap.
But Fletcher refuted that he would make Toronto an unfriendly place for McCabe.
At least one report has suggested Toronto might prevent him from participating in training camp or would simply keep him out of the lineup.
Such tactics could be grounds for filing a grievance against the Leafs.
"There's just so much speculation as to what may or may not happen," said Fletcher, who added he is no longer shopping McCabe around. "Bryan told us he would not accept a trade and that's where we stand."
Fletcher said he was unsure whether McCabe would be in the Leafs lineup when the regular season begins.
"I can't answer that right now," he said. "He's under contract. Ask me that on Labour Day."
Former general manager John Ferguson signed McCabe to a five-year, $28.75-million US contract after the defenceman scored a career-high 19 goals and 68 points in 2005-06. But the 33-year-old, who represented Canada in the 2006 Olympics, has since failed to replicate those offensive numbers, which helped cushion some of his defensive liabilities.
McCabe scored 15 goals in 2006-07 and managed only five in 54 games last season. He also tied for third in the league with 104 giveaways two years ago. That did not include the time he accidentally scored a game-winning goal on his own net last October.
Fans at Air Canada Centre, who have expected more out of McCabe since he signed his rich deal, were particularly nasty after that incident. But some still value his big shot from the point.
But if McCabe cannot be moved, the team would likely try and trade the Czech-born defenceman Pavel Kubina, who can be traded without his permission until Aug. 15.
"There's going to be a lot of changes," Fletcher said. "At the end of the day, we have to improve this hockey team."
National Post
mtraikos@nationalpost.com
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