The Toronto Maple Leafs have made impressive additions to their blue line this off-season, including Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and potentially Jani Hakanpaa. Now, the focus should shift to extending Jake McCabe’s contract.
The Maple Leafs have long faced criticism for their inconsistency and lack of puck-moving defensemen. With the recent acquisitions, they’ve addressed these issues, but a reporter suggests that GM Brad Treliving should now prioritize securing McCabe for the long term.
At 30 years old, McCabe had a career-best 28 points last season with Toronto, along with a +20 goal differential, making him a crucial part of the team’s defense, which experienced its share of challenges.
McCabe’s current contract, signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021, has a $4 million AAV, with Chicago covering half of that for the final two years. McCabe will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 unless Toronto acts to extend his contract now.
According to sources close to the team, Jake McCabe is highly regarded in the locker room. Elliotte Friedman reported that during a challenging 3-1 deficit against the Boston Bruins, McCabe was one of the key players who stepped up and helped lead the team back to a Game 7.
The exact market value for Jake McCabe is uncertain, but with Timothy Liljegren and Oliver Ekman-Larsson earning $3 million and $3.5 million respectively, a similar range seems likely for McCabe, who will be 32 when he next becomes a free agent.
Currently, Daily Faceoff projects McCabe to play on the third pairing alongside Simon Benoit. While some might argue that paying $3-4 million AAV for a third-pair defenseman isn’t ideal, McCabe offers valuable experience, leadership, and a standout performance from the 2023/24 season, making him a crucial asset for the team.
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