"It appears that some time today, Mike Van Ryn's life is going to change significantly.

Should the rumours finally come to fruition, the Maple Leafs will acquire the Florida Panthers' defenceman in a long-awaited exchange for Bryan McCabe and a draft pick.

For one, Van Ryn will have to give up playing hockey in anonymity in south Florida, where he's probably the second most-famous person in his household of two.

And he'll have to give up one of the great perks he found being the husband of a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader who is still involved with the football team.

"I've been lucky enough because of my wife (Amber), I've been a judge for the Dolphins' cheerleader calendar, like which pictures go in," said Van Ryn. "I guess that's going to come to a halt."

Although he has no particular desire to leave Florida, Van Ryn said he'd be ecstatic to come to Toronto.

"It's a part of life we've enjoyed but we're looking forward to a new chapter," said Van Ryn. "I know (my wife is) excited about a change, and so am I.

"It'll be neat going to an arena where there will be a playoff atmosphere every night, and it's always been fun to play in Toronto because the fans are knowledgeable.

"Sometimes you can make a great play and it will go unnoticed in other buildings, whereas Toronto fans will cheer. I'm pretty excited about that."

Van Ryn, 29, was a free agent coming out of junior and almost signed with the Leafs back then. He ultimately signed with the St. Louis Blues and moved to Florida in 2003. He has 27 goals and 91 assists in 326 career games.

His best season came in '03-'04 when he potted 13 goals and 24 assists in 79 games. A sprained knee and a sore right wrist hampered him last season – he only played 20 games – but he believes he's put his injury woes behind him.

"I just kept coming back a little early and trying to play on it," said Van Ryn. "I should have been taking the proper amount of rest time.

"Everything's fine now. I feel great."

Leaf GM Cliff Fletcher said McCabe's situation could be resolved today but gave no indication that Van Ryn would be coming to Toronto.

"There's nothing in writing between any of the parties," said Fletcher, citing league rules. "There's nothing to prohibit anybody from wanting to back down, to not do anything. There is nothing in place ... but hopefully we can get it resolved (today)."

This deal was complicated from the get-go. It appeared that even after McCabe waived his no-movement clause, no team wanted him until today – after the Leafs paid the final $2 million (all figures U.S.) installment on his signing bonus."