Toronto Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to massive long-term extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension.
Jake McCabe was originally acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with Sam Lafferty, from the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for a first and second round pick, ahead of the 2023 NHL trade deadline.
While at the time there were rumours that Jake McCabe would not accept a trade to a Canadian team, he ultimately opted to waive his no trade clause to go to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Clearly it has been a good fit, as he has been great under Craig Berube, and has now signed on for the rest of the decade.
Per Frank Seravalli, there is deferred salary in the Jake McCabe contract, lowering the annual average cap hit from $4.7 million to $4.51 million. This is now the second time we have seen deferred payment used in a contract after the Carolina Hurricanes and GM Eric Tulsky capitalized on the method for their extension to Seth Jarvis. This method is expected to be utilized more often in the league as contracts get bigger.
The team released the following statement following the signing, which will carry an overall value of $22.55 million:
to a five-year contract. The average annual value of the contract is $4.51 million.
McCabe, 31, has posted three assists in nine games with the Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season. The
Eau Claire, WI native has recorded 155 points (33 goals, 122 assists) in 586 career regular season NHL
games with the Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres while adding three points (one goal,
two assists) in 18 career playoff games.
The 6'1, 212-pound defenceman was first acquired by Toronto in a trade with Chicago on February 27,
2023. McCabe was originally drafted by Buffalo in the second round (44th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Having found chemistry this season next to Chris Tanev, the pairing may very well stick together for the next five years, as the two will expire at the same time. The acquisition of Tanev has been lauded by fans due to his playoff-built play style, despite the six-year term. Having this duo locked up for only $9.01 million annually will likely look good for at least the first few years of the respective contracts.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 28 | 116 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to massive long-term extension Do you think this is a fair contract for Jake McCabe? | ||
| Yes | 91 | 78.4 % |
| No | 25 | 21.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mitch Marner | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Logan Cooley | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack McBain | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Guenther | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Michael Kesselring | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mikhail Sergachev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Chris Tanev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Tavares | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Simon Benoit | - | - | - | |
| Nick Bjugstad | - | - | - | |
| Michael Carcone | - | - | - | |
| Ian Cole | - | - | - | |
| Lawson Crouse | - | - | - | |
| Connor Dewar | - | - | - | |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | - | - | - | |
| Barrett Hayton | - | - | - | |
| Pontus Holmberg | - | - | - | |
| Clayton Keller | - | - | - | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||