The Puck Stops Here

Earlier this season, I wrote about Bryan McCabe getting off to a fast start. I was skeptical about whether or not he could keep it up, especially since most of his offensive success has been on the power play. He has managed to keep this up. McCabe still leads the NHL in power play points with 22 (he is tied for the lead with Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers). McCabe currently has 35 points in 28 games. He is on pace for 102 points which is the highest output for an NHL defenceman since Brian Leetch accomplished 102 points in 1991/92. This is an outstanding offensive accomplishment.

I had earlier picked Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators as the best defenceman in the NHL so far this year, but he has missed his last several games due to a knee injury. Therefore, it is unreasonable to continue to claim he has been the best defenceman so far this season. I think Bryan McCabe has been the best defender so far this season.

McCabe is well on the way to a breakthrough season. He made the second team all star in 2003/04 (which suprised many people) and is improving on that performance this season. There is still contreversy as to whether or not McCabe should make the Canadian Olympic team. Based on his performance so far, its amazing that his position is not guaranteed. Why wouldn't you pick the player who is on pace to win a Norris trophy who made the second team all star in his last NHL season?