Pay The D-Man: Toronto Maple Leafs Must Prioritize Re-Signing Jake McCabe

The Toronto Maple Leafs have more than their share of top-tier superstars. But from this writer’s perspective, the gritty heart and soul of this Leafs team is someone who rarely makes headlines and has one year left on his contract – veteran defenseman Jake McCabe.

McCabe is proving to be a favorite of new Leafs coach Craig Berube, as he’s currently second on the team in average time-on-ice, averaging 21:08 per game thus far this year. McCabe forms one-half of Toronto’s second defense pairing alongside newcomer Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and although McCabe isn’t on the ice to provide offense, he’s got three assists in four games. He won’t continue producing points at that rate, but so long as McCabe is making life difficult for opponents in the Maple Leafs’ zone, Buds management and coaching will be thrilled.

To be sure, McCabe has a mean streak that hasn’t been common on Leafs teams in recent years, and Berube clearly likes what he’s seen from him this season. However, as with everything in Leafs Land, McCabe’s financial future is under the microscope, and the Leafs need to figure out a way to retain McCabe’s services after his current contract expires at the end of this season. Buds GM Brad Treliving will have a good sum of money to play with next summer – when center John Tavares’ $11-million salary comes off the books, and when the cap ceiling rises another four or five percent – and some of that money absolutely should go to McCabe on a contract extension.

Toronto was fortunate to have swung a deal for McCabe that has his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, retaining 50 percent of his $4-million per season salary. But once this season ends, they’ll have to give McCabe a raise on that salary, and they’ll have to pay the entire amount of said salary. The only question will be the term of the deal, and at age 31, McCabe probably would accept a four or five-season contract.

Why? Well, because Treliving already has top-four D-men Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev and Ekman-Larsson all signed through at least the 2027-28 campaign, and McCabe needs to be included in that group. Those four veterans form a stellar core for the Buds’ blueline, and with younger defensemen like Simon Benoit and Toronto prospects forming the third pair on the cheap, the Leafs’ back end is basically set for the long haul.

You rarely see McCabe make the highlight reel, but that’s alright. He doesn’t need to be the center of attention. He can just punish opponents as much as possible. He has more snarl and bite to his game than any of his teammates, and like Tanev, he’s a shot-blocking machine.

Allowing McCabe to walk away in free agency would be a colossal error. He’s got to be mindful of Toronto’s cap situation, of course, but Treliving’s job is to find a path that keeps McCabe happy and willing to put his body on the line the way few others do. There’s lots of time to try and get an extension done for McCabe, but Treliving should be aiming to sign him well before UFA season arrives. McCabe’s asking price could go sky-high with a slew of suitors on the market, so if Treliving gives McCabe a little more now, he’s going to save himself a lot more down the line.

Whatever the case, McCabe should be acknowledged a little more than he’s been to this point in his career. We don’t recall McCabe ever smiling on an NHL sheet of ice, and that’s precisely what the Leafs need more of. There’s enough money left to keep him around, and the Leafs would have a gigantic hole without him. Get a deal done, Mr. Treliving, and get it done soon.

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