This off-season, the Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their blue line with several free agent pickups, and it has fans excited about their defensive group for the first time in a long time. However, there's plenty of expectation on their returning players too, with Jake McCabe expected to take a massive role with the team moving forward after it was reported he was now taking part in the second pairing alongside free agent acquisition Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Now, the veteran has addressed the media at training camp, revealing that he loves it in Toronto and is very open to an extension, but will leave all of the negotiating up to his agent.
Last season, McCabe skated in 73 games for the Maple Leafs, and would set a career high with 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists), and at 30-years of age, he showed that he's clearly got plenty of gas left in the tank. At this point, it appears he's set for a much bigger role in 2024/25, with the second pairing RD position his to lose in training camp, and with Craig Berube leaning heavily on his veterans on the blue line, it makes sense that the team want him back for a long time.
Jake McCabe's current deal runs through the end of this season after signing a four-year, $16 million with the Blackhawks before being traded to Toronto, and it's more than likely his next deal will look very similar to this one.
The Maple Leafs still have key contracts to figure out with the likes of Mitch Marner and John Tavares, but they've built some great depth this off-season, and if they can find a way to lock up McCabe for another few years, it will be another big time success for this regime.
POLL | ||
20 SEPTEMBRE | 271 ANSWERS Jake McCabe reveals his desire for his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs Should the Maple Leafs re-sign Jake McCabe to a long-term deal? | ||
Yes | 228 | 84.1 % |
No | 43 | 15.9 % |
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