The Maple Leafs seem better off without defenseman Bryan McCabe, at least in terms of avoiding public distractions.

The former NHL all-star with the Leafs returned for the first time on Tuesday night with the Florida Panthers, having been almost run out of town after fans and media used his big contract and low production as a lightning rod for criticism of the club's three-year absence from the playoffs. McCabe spent eight years as a Leaf and placed sixth in club history in points by a defenseman with 297.

McCabe and Pavel Kubina, who assumed McCabe's spot as the big-shot power-play force, are almost even in goals and points this season even though the latter missed 10 games with a back injury.

Bryan McCabe helped deflect the boos of the Toronto Maple Leafs' fans from him to their own team. McCabe, a former Leafs defenseman who was traded to Florida in the offseason, had an assist on the game's first goal and the Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Tuesday night. "They were really flat," McCabe said.