Maple Leafs' Strategic Moves: Securing New Jake McCabe Deal Vital This Summer

The upcoming 2025 summer is shaping up to be a critical period for the Leafs as key players like McCabe, Marner, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Pontus Holmberg are all up for contract renewals. The challenge intensifies with the financial demands expected, especially with Marner likely seeking a salary akin to Auston Matthews.

The scenario gets particularly intriguing with Jake McCabe. Despite being a significant part of the team's defensive lineup, there's a risk that McCabe might be overshadowed by higher-profile negotiations. The Leafs management, led by Brad Treliving, has already emphasized strengthening their defensive squad this season, a strategy highlighted by extending Timothy Liljegren and bringing in Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and potentially Jani Hakanpaa. This focus makes it even more crucial to secure McCabe for the long term.

McCabe, who will soon turn 31, joined the Leafs from the Chicago Blackhawks right before the trade deadline in 2023. The deal included Sam Lafferty and several late-round picks in exchange for a conditional 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and two prospects, with Chicago retaining half of McCabe's salary. This arrangement brought McCabe to Toronto with a favorable $2 million cap hit.

Over two seasons with the Leafs, McCabe has tallied 9 goals and 33 points across 94 games, boasting a +32 rating. He's been a resilient presence on the ice, averaging 20:23 minutes of ice time, delivering 260 hits, and blocking 165 shots. His playoff performance further underscores his value, with notable time on ice and defensive contributions.

Given his robust defensive performance, McCabe could become a sought-after player if he enters free agency. However, projections by Evolving Hockey suggest a feasible extension with the Leafs could range from a 3-year deal at an average annual value (AAV) of $4.06 million to a 6-year deal around $5 million AAV, with a sweet spot possibly being a 4-year contract at approximately $4.6 million AAV.

A 4-year extension would align McCabe's contract expiration closely with key defensive players like Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev, potentially stabilizing the Leafs' defense as they continue to contend for the Stanley Cup. Although a shorter term might favor the club financially and strategically, McCabe's preference for a longer term could provide him security and a solid position to negotiate a final contract as he approaches his mid-30s.

As the Leafs navigate these crucial negotiations, the balance between securing talent like McCabe and managing salary cap implications will be pivotal. With a strong defensive lineup featuring Morgan Rielly, Tanev, McCabe, and Ekman-Larsson, the Leafs could solidify their back end, setting the stage for a robust defense that supports their championship aspirations in the coming years. Only time will reveal if they manage to secure McCabe's extension amid their broader contract strategy challenges in the summer of 2025.

Source for Jake McCabe's statistics: Hockey-Reference
Jake McCabe