Is it just me, or is Jake McCabe pretty bad?

[Maple Leaf]

You could swap every D for a different D
Get a new look

 

[ToneDog]

I’M GENIUS, according to ME

Shanny should have locked him up and thrown away the key a month before every trade deadline (LOL). This guy bled us to death asset wise.

 

[Hellcat]

When we acquired him, everyone was talking about him being a quality top 4 dman, and a big upgrade over Sandin. I just do not see it, on either front.

I like his physical edge, but that’s about it. IMO he’s our worst defensive dman (yes, including Klingberg), terrible gap control and constantly caught out of position. Not much in the way of puck skills either. He was decent against Tampa, but Florida were absolutely hunting him to great success, and so far this year he’s been a complete sieve.

Are other people seeing this? Or do others like his game, see him as a legit top 4 dman, and it’s just me? He looks like a mediocre 6D to me.

He's both, pretty bad and pretty good. Just like Rielly has always been forced to be a #1 when is better suited to be #2, next to a true star #1 dman. McCabe is forced to be a #3 he's better slotted as a #4. This defence is all slotted one position too high.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Honestly, I haven't been overly impressed with any dmen.

 

[rumman]

the whole D is suspect excluding Rielly. Klingburg will help the PP, but he's part of the defense problem...........

 

[rumman]

Nothing will ever compare to how hyped Mike Komisarek was and how bad he turned out to be

Fred Boimistruck and Jim Benny say hi......of course that was the team's fault for throwing them to the wolves.............

 

[rumman]

I'm not willing to blame the defense until either

A one of these goalies puts up a 900 save%

B allows less than 3 goals and steals a game.

Woll wasn't terrible last night but Samsonov owes this team 2 games

the goal tending is a thread worthy concern of it's own imo...........

 

[rumman]

He's paid like a bottom tiered defenseman. Relax, not all of them are top level defense. Especially this team, Brad has flipped our depth. We now have most of our better players up front. He does need to make a move on the blue line, no question. Are you missing Holl?

Leafs don't need cheap D men, they need D men that can defend. That can't happen while 4 forwards take half the cap. It's groundhog day yet again.............

 

[ponder]

I figured I should take a better look at his games - not just in realtime while watching, but breaking down video on replays, see if the chances were really his fault or not. Here's my assessment of every strong scoring chance against that happened while McCabe was on the ice, against Chicago (he was on for most of the strong scoring chances against):

1) McCabe bobbles the bouncing puck, doesn't position his body to block it either, allows strong scoring chance, is lucky that Woll bails him out. His high level positioning is good, but the details/hands aren't, in a high danger area like this you want to get your body in the way so it blocks the puck if you miss it with your stick


2) Combination of errors on this one. Bad point pass by Gregor, then a bad decision by Klingberg (should've backed off and allowed the zone exit vs. trying to hold the line flat-footed). I think those 2 are mostly at fault, but also don't love McCabe's transition D, does end up caught in no-man's lang a bit. McCabe "meh" but not terrible, Gregor and Klingberg more at fault, although at least Gregor makes a great backcheck to limit the danger of the scoring chance


3) Similar to the last play - McCabe not terrible, but not great either. Bedard beat Klingberg clean off the rush, McCabe defends sort of OK, but not great - he ends up in no-man's land a bit, not really covering Bedard or effectively taking away the pass to Donato. I think this is mostly on Klingberg, but McCabe is at best average here, more like below average. Would also like to see McCabe stop in front of the net here, vs. skating himself out of the play - he would have been in terrible position if there was a fast rebound chance.


4) Pretty bad here IMO, just too big gaps all over the place, too passive and slow to apply pressure a few plays in a row, ending up in a goal against. Though I will say, Klingberg puts him in tough spots again - puts him in positions where he has to be super on the ball with his gaps and pressure just to do OK, and he isn't. This is an issue I see often with McCabe - he's not often badly out of position, but he is often just a step behind the play, struggling to keep up and not applying meaningful pressure


5) McCabe strongly at fault IMO, Lily is in good position to defend the puck carrier (Athanasiou), and the pass to Johnson is the clear biggest danger. There's a number of Blackhawks sort of on the rush, but only Athanasiou and Johnson have the speed and positioning to be immediately dangerous, if the puck goes to anyone else other Leafs will have time to recover and join the defensive effort. It's clear the right play for McCabe here is to cover Johnson, but instead he doubles Athanasiou, leaving the pass to Johnson wide open. Then he's too slow to recover, goal against. I think this is the only goal against that Lily has been on for this season? Knies also could have been better here, but McCabe is a vet dman, I put more responsibility on him to be the last line of defence vs. a rookie winger.


These chances/goals are certainly not all McCabe's fault, Klingberg especially is putting him in bad positions frequently. This made me revisit my thinking that McCabe is worse than Klingberg defensively - I think Klingberg is worse than McCabe on these plays, he's often the root of the problem while McCabe is more often the secondary issue. Will have to keep looking out for this, it's probably a pattern.

However, McCabe does still look pretty bad on these IMO, especially since he's not an offensive guy like Klingberg, if he contributes anywhere it's defensively. This is maybe a below average McCabe game, but not way below average or anything - IMO he has looked similar throughout the Florida series, and through 3 games so far this year.

Overall, breaking these plays down makes me think we should split up McCabe and Klingberg, maybe McCabe would have more success with Lily, but still not liking McCabe's game. It's not encouraging that Gio/Lily have been rock solid together, but in a very rare time where McCabe was paired with Lily, it was an instant goal against that was primarily McCabe's fault.

 

[supermann_98]

I figured I should take a better look at his games - not just in realtime while watching, but breaking down video on replays, see if the chances were really his fault or not. Here's my assessment of every strong scoring chance against that happened while McCabe was on the ice, against Chicago (he was on for most of the strong scoring chances against):

1) McCabe bobbles the bouncing puck, doesn't position his body to block it either, allows strong scoring chance, is lucky that Woll bails him out. His high level positioning is good, but the details/hands aren't, in a high danger area like this you want to get your body in the way so it blocks the puck if you miss it with your stick


2) Combination of errors on this one. Bad point pass by Gregor, then a bad decision by Klingberg (should've backed off and allowed the zone exit vs. trying to hold the line flat-footed). I think those 2 are mostly at fault, but also don't love McCabe's transition D, does end up caught in no-man's lang a bit. McCabe "meh" but not terrible, Gregor and Klingberg more at fault, although at least Gregor makes a great backcheck to limit the danger of the scoring chance


3) Similar to the last play - McCabe not terrible, but not great either. Bedard beat Klingberg clean off the rush, McCabe defends sort of OK, but not great - he ends up in no-man's land a bit, not really covering Bedard or effectively taking away the pass to Donato. I think this is mostly on Klingberg, but McCabe is at best average here, more like below average. Would also like to see McCabe stop in front of the net here, vs. skating himself out of the play - he would have been in terrible position if there was a fast rebound chance.


4) Pretty bad here IMO, just too big gaps all over the place, too passive and slow to apply pressure a few plays in a row, ending up in a goal against. Though I will say, Klingberg puts him in tough spots again - puts him in positions where he has to be super on the ball with his gaps and pressure just to do OK, and he isn't. This is an issue I see often with McCabe - he's not often badly out of position, but he is often just a step behind the play, struggling to keep up and not applying meaningful pressure


5) McCabe strongly at fault IMO, Lily is in good position to defend the puck carrier (Athanasiou), and the pass to Johnson is the clear biggest danger. There's a number of Blackhawks sort of on the rush, but only Athanasiou and Johnson have the speed and positioning to be immediately dangerous, if the puck goes to anyone else other Leafs will have time to recover and join the defensive effort. It's clear the right play for McCabe here is to cover Johnson, but instead he doubles Athanasiou, leaving the pass to Johnson wide open. Then he's too slow to recover, goal against. I think this is the only goal against that Lily has been on for this season?


These chances/goals are certainly not all McCabe's fault, Klingberg especially is putting him in bad positions frequently. This made me revisit my thinking that McCabe is worse than Klingberg defensively - I think Klingberg is worse than McCabe on these plays, he's often the root of the problem while McCabe is more often the secondary issue. Will have to keep looking out for this, it's probably a pattern.

However, McCabe does still look pretty bad on these IMO, especially since he's not an offensive guy like Klingberg, if he contributes anywhere it's defensively. This is maybe a below average McCabe game, but not way below average or anything - IMO he has looked similar throughout the Florida series, and through 3 games so far this year.

Overall, breaking these plays down makes me think we should split up McCabe and Klingberg, maybe McCabe would have more success with Lily, but still not liking McCabe's game. It's not encouraging that Gio/Lily have been rock solid together, but in a very rare time where McCabe was paired with Lily, it was an instant goal against that was primarily McCabe's fault.

Wow man, props for the clips and analysis. You've proved what my eyes saw that game and every game this year, this guy has been terrible.

In saying that it's pretty early in the season and some guys need 5-10 games to get the timing and flow, but I'd happily replace him with a defense first guy like Marc Staal to pair with Klingberg. I wonder what Philly would ask for him as they're tanking and he's an upcoming UFA

 

[Gabriel426]

I think having McCabe and TJ might be the way to go.
If only we kept Schenn to play with Reilly. Hopefully, Lilly starts playing better as he is the most suitable RD to pair with Reilly.

 

[TMLAM34]

McCabe - Liljegren will do fine IMO.

 

[hullsy47]

Honestly, I haven't been overly impressed with any dmen.

Not ever gonna win a cup with this d fence
Even In the dubss years it was mediocre at best
Thru 3 games this year looks like a non playoff team

 

[thusk]

Doesn’t matter what he’s being paid when a 1st rounder was used to get him. Only the Foligno for a 1st was worse. That still makes me lol.

I think youre overrating value of a late 1st pick...

NOBODY will gulive a top 3 D with term retained at 50% for a late 1st ...absolutly nobody.

Leafs dont have any cap space, so they need to find quality player at low price ...

 

[Gilmour1996]

I think youre overrating value of a late 1st pick...

NOBODY will gulive a top 3 D with term retained at 50% for a late 1st ...absolutly nobody.

Leafs dont have any cap space, so they need to find quality player at low price ...

Dubas might!

 

[WTFMAN99]

I've liked Rielly this year but it feels like we need to add an upper echelon defenseman. Schenn over Klingberg and just roll out Timmins or something.

Since that didn't happen, McCabe is a pretty average 2nd pairing defenseman that is not so great to counter how bad Klingberg is at defense.

 

[supermann_98]

McCabe - Liljegren will do fine IMO.

I've probably been the most critical of McCabe but he looked passable playing with Liljegren last night, meaning Keefe will probably split them up asap

 

[TMLAM34]

I've probably been the most critical of McCabe but he looked passable playing with Liljegren last night, meaning Keefe will probably split them up asap

Even though McCabe is more of a defensive defenceman, he still needs someone that’s pretty strong defensively for when he does boneheaded moves and jumps into the offence aka why pairing him with Klingberg does not work.

I've liked Rielly this year but it feels like we need to add an upper echelon defenseman. Schenn over Klingberg and just roll out Timmins or something.

Since that didn't happen, McCabe is a pretty average 2nd pairing defenseman that is not so great to counter how bad Klingberg is at defense.

Rielly has looked pretty good. I think with Klingberg in the picture for the offensive role it has allowed Rielly to focus on both ends of the ice and taken some pressure off from producing offensively. But like you said it’s shown that we do need that top pairing dman more than ever now.

 

[The Iceman]

He's both, pretty bad and pretty good. Just like Rielly has always been forced to be a #1 when is better suited to be #2, next to a true star #1 dman. McCabe is forced to be a #3 he's better slotted as a #4. This defence is all slotted one position too high.

I get what you are saying
BUT
I never understood.
A number 3 D better slotted at 4.

What is the difference when he plays on the same pairing?

 

[BraveCanadian]

The Leafs problem is they have a bunch of #4-6 defensemen.

Rielly is very meh as a #1.. he should probably be a #2 at best maybe even a #3 behind a more solid pairing. I like the guy and his ability to move the puck but defensively.. he's not a #1.

Brodie was quite solid defensively but appears to have fallen off

Gio was solid but is a million years old

McCabe is all over the place.. I can't figure out if he is as good as he sometimes looks or as bad as he sometimes looks.

Liljegren is the same and they keep moving him all over and putting him in the pressbox too so I don't think the Leafs really know what to do with him either. Still has potential.

Klingberg is Klingberg

Timmins bounces up and down from the A and could be good? who knows..

The cap is a harsh mistress.

 

[Buds17]

I get what you are saying
BUT
I never understood.
A number 3 D better slotted at 4.

What is the difference when he plays on the same pairing?

It might be that the #3 d-man averages more ice time and is looked at to "carry" that pairing?

 

[13pacheco31]

He would look much better on the third pair of we had a legit no.4 to go in his spot

 

[Gaberd2608]

He would look much better on the third pair of we had a legit no.4 to go in his spot

I agree, the issue is we dont really have a legit 2D and 3D so everyone is not being placed into a position to succeed.

Rielly = Top pairing defenseman on most teams in the NHL
Brodie = probabaly a 2nd pairing defenseman on most teams in the NHL
Kleinberg, Lily, McCabe, Gio, = Bottom pair on every team in the NHL

For the Leafs d to improve they need to make some moves. No idea how to do this not through free agency without creating another whole.

Leafs should look to move Lily while he "may" have some value, same with Timmins. Maybe we can catch lightening in a bottle with a reclamation project?

Jarnkrok for T. Myers and see if he can have some chemistry with Rielly?
Lily for Boqvist and see if he can play with Brodie?

Rielly - Myers
Brodie - Boqvist
McCabe - Kleinberg
Gio

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Rielly is the only D on this team I trust. Everyone else would be best in a #5 role. I don’t think McCabe is a bad D. I just don’t think he’s a legit top 4 guy. For $2M can’t complain.

 

[Hellcat]

I get what you are saying
BUT
I never understood.
A number 3 D better slotted at 4.

What is the difference when he plays on the same pairing?

The #3 is generally considered the better player of the two (#3 and #4) , expected to carry the pairing, translation our #4 (Klingberg) was a f-ing mess, McCabe is not good enough to make up for the stupid shit Klingberg does. Keefe paired Klingberg with McCabe thinking McCabe would stabilize that pairing... McCabe is good but not good enough to carry a pairing. Give him a defender like Brodie and McCabe looks like an outstanding 2nd pair defender, give him a defender like Klingberg and McCabe looks like a hot mess. That's the logic behind pairing him with Lily, Lily is a better defender than Klingberg and with time the lily/ McCabe pair should stabilize the 2nd pairing. McCabe/Lilly is like a +4a/-4b pairing, maybe not a really good 2nd pairing but a serviceable 2nd pair. Klingberg is just a hot mess all day all night, he'd make Makar look like a 6th.