Insider: Maple Leafs Have Begun Extension Talks With $16 Million Defenseman

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had preliminary contract extension talks with defenseman Jake McCabe, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

Speaking on his 32 Thoughts The Podcast on September 6, Friedman was asked about the Maple Leafs. One of the talking points that Friedman brought up was McCabe’s future as he’s entering the final year of his four-year $16 million defenseman.

According to Friedman, contract talks have started, but the insider isn’t sure if it will get done anytime soon.

“I believe they’ve had some conversation with Jake McCabe about extending him,” Friedman said. “I’m a big McCabe fan. I think he’s perfect for them. I think he’s exactly the kind of player they need, I don’t know where this is going to go. But, I do believe they’ve had some conversations about extending McCabe. We’ll see.”

Toronto acquired McCabe on February 27, 2023, from the Chicago Blackhawks, along with forward Sam Lafferty and two future conditional picks in exchange for Toronto’s conditional first-round pick in 2025, Toronto’s second-round pick in 2026, Joey Anderson, and Pavel Gogolev

McCabe is a defensive defenseman who is on the Maple Leafs’ third-pairing but can move up to the second-pairing late in games and in the playoffs.

Last season with Toronto, McCabe skated in 73 games recording 8 goals and 20 assists for 28 points. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal in 7 playoff games.

McCabe Changes Agent

With McCabe entering the final year of his deal, the defenseman made a significant change.

McCabe left Forward Hockey to join Bartlett Hockey, who announced the move on social media. Why the defenseman decided to change agencies is uncertain.