Defensemen Bryan Berard and Bryan McCabe were back in the area this weekend, arriving as ex-Islanders with their new Canadian clubs. In interviews with The Post yesterday, each expressed bewilderment to what direction their former franchise is heading.
Berard and McCabe, the Isles’ former captain, were one-half of the “Fab Four,” the nucleus of what some believed was the league’s best young defensive corps. Berard and McCabe were the glamour kids of that young crew. They were housemates, pals and GQ hair models who perhaps partied hard, but played hard, too, with a definite attitude. They thought they were going to be part of something special on Long Island. They thought wrong.
McCabe’s Canucks face the Isles today at the Coliseum at 2 p.m. Berard’s Maple Leafs faced the Devils last night at The Meadowlands.
The Canucks, beset with injuries, a coaching change and Pavel Bure-related turmoil, are struggling, but still are in the playoff race, within six points of a playoff spot.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys, we look like the Islanders used to look,” McCabe told The Post. “We’re not a totally winning team, but we’re rebuilding. At least we have that going for us. We were a rebuilding team on Long Island and then they didn’t give us a chance to prosper.”
McCabe, 23, was traded last February along with Todd Bertuzzi in exchange for veteran Trevor Linden. McCabe, burdened with a minus-10 rating, hasn’t had a superb season after joining the club in mid-November following a contract holdout. McCabe signed a three-year, $4 million deal.
Berard, 21, was dealt Jan. 9 for veteran goalie Felix Potvin. McCabe said he was “shocked” when he learned of the trade. “Never thought that would happen,” McCabe said. “Bryan is a guy you build a franchise around.”
In a hotel lobby near The Meadowlands yesterday morning, Berard told The Post, “I couldn’t tell you what’s going on there.”
Berard is off to a fast start in his new surroundings, with six points in eight games, a plus-1 rating, a game-winning goal and two power-play goals. Leafs coach Pat Quinn is allowing Berard to utilize his talents as an offensive defenseman.
“Hockey is becoming fun again,” said Berard, the 1996-97 Calder Trophy winner. “The last two years, it was a job. Sometimes you don’t want to go to the rink and that’s where it starts to effect your game. That was happening, so I think it was time to make a change. Now, playing for a first-place team, I love what I do again. It’s like playing for the Yankees in New York. Hockey is appreciated more. It’s great.”
While praising Quinn, Berard took another tweak at the Isles’ staff which has been accused of shunting his creativity.
“[Here], they just let you play,” Berard said. “It’s a system where defense is first but there’s a lot of talented guys where if you get control of the puck, [Quinn] wants guys to skate. He’s not always criticizing as opposed to where I’ve been the last 2 years. Every little thing you do you get criticized and it’s something that makes you lose your confidence. I think that’s with all the players there, with Scottie Lachance and Eric Brewer, they’re having a tough time, too.”
Regarding Milbury’s resignation as coach, Berard said, “I thought it was a matter of time.”
Berard then praised Bill Stewart, saying, “He’s going to be a great coach. He respects the players.”
Lachance and Kenny Jonsson are the final remnants of the Fab Four. But Lachance, enduring a spotty season, has been shopped and Jonsson, suffering through an injury-plagued season, is perhaps one major concussion away from retirement.
The locker room lost a lot of soul when the rugged McCabe left. Once captain Mark Messier is finished, McCabe could be the successor.
“I’m the same way I was in Long Island, still loud,” McCabe said. “You don’t need the ‘C’ on the jersey to be a leader.”
Berard’s future in Toronto, too, is unlimited. Said Quinn: “Are there rough edges? Sure, there are. A 21-year-old is still learning when to go on offense, when to jump up to get that extra attacker. I think he’s still searching that fine line out. Is two years too long to wait for him? I don’t think so.”