Maple Leafs' defensive problems start with someone you'd never expect

If you were to point to the Maple Leafs worsening defense, you'd be surprised to see that one of the worst defenders is supposed to be their best - Jake McCabe.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost yet again on Saturday night, this time to their bitter rivals the Montreal Canadiens. After the Habs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, the team seemed to fall apart before a late third period comeback was stifled.

Turnovers aplenty, bad defensive awareness and a lack of urgency at times seemed to cost the Maple Leafs at every turn. Gavin McKenna earned a fair share of criticism for his mistakes, meanwhile Sergei Bobrovsky is stil having issues as the goalie debate heats up.

Toronto can't depend on solely Jake McCabe anymore

But there is no one who has been more egregiously bad than the Maple Leafs supposed top defensive player - Jake McCabe.

For all intents and purposes, while Chris Tanev is a much more well-rounded and better defender, he also didn't just get a huge extension from the Maple Leafs thanks to a solid couple of seasons.

McCabe's numbers have dropped dramatically this year, and he just doesn't look nearly as effective when it comes to the numbers or the eye test:

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Taking a look at the above stats, his xGF is outpaced by his xGA by nearly four goals, the team has less than a 40% chance of scoring when he's on the ice, and his possession numbers have plummeted.

His shorthanded numbers are actually really good compared to his 5v5 though that could also be a product of Toronto's insanely effective PK this year.

Toronto's past is coming back to haunt them in a serious way

That's horrific for their future aspirations if half of their supposed defensive shutdown pair can't defend.

He's unable to clear the puck effectively at times, he's getting beat at the front of the net, and he's lacking that killer instinct that made him so effective.

The Brad Treliving era may have done irreversible damage to the future of the Maple Leafs because not only does the team have to deal with Chris Tanev's fairly expensive contract and flaky health but now they have a regressing McCabe signed long-term, with no clue if this is just an off stretch or not.

It's going to be hard to find a suitor for McCabe if he keeps regressing, and his contract and term is going to do no one any favors. If he doesn't get it together, the Maple Leafs will pay big time.

Both with their chequebooks and in the standings.

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