Trade Completed Between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks After Key Condition Met
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
A year after making a trade to acquire Jake McCabe from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Toronto Maple Leafs finalized the deal after fulfilling their pick conditions.
When the Maple Leafs made a trade for Jake McCabe last year, it was to bring in a shutdown defender in order to help Toronto get through their consistent playoff woes. He didn't accomplish the goal last year, but this season he's been a huge reason as to why Toronto's been successful; he just needs to stay healthy.
The trade ended up sending prospects Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev as well as a conditional first-round pick in 2025, and a second-round pick in 2026. However, it seems that conditional pick has been officially finalized.
That condition was dependent on Toronto's 2025 selection; if it landed in the Top 10 for whatever reason, the pick defers to a 2026 first-rounder.
Chicago Earns First Rounder After Toronto's Postseason Clincher
But with Toronto securing their playoff berth with their win over Florida on Tuesday, the team assured that pick will not be within that Top 10 range, therefore the pick is officially a 2025 first-round pick for Chicago.
So the final trade sees Toronto end up trading Anderson, Gogolev, a 2025 first-rounder, and a 2026 second-rounder for McCabe (as well as Sam Lafferty and some picks).
It's safe to say that Toronto won the trade so far, and we'll have to see who and how the potential draft pick plays out, however McCabe has been such a huge difference maker for the team, that unless that player becomes an elite star; it's a massive win all round.
Though he's dealt with some injuries this season, McCabe has been part of Toronto's revamped defense and formed an elite pairing with Chris Tanev, and has emerged from being a great defenseman to one of the best shutdown players in the entire league; earning himself a huge extension in the process.
While his offensive numbers are down from last season, he's still managed 23 points in 66 games (2G, 21A) but adds 135 hits, 118 blocks, 40 PIM and a plus-23 rating in 21:31 TOI.
McCabe is a huge part as to why the Maple Leafs may be able to push past the first round, and if he can stay healthy then it can only mean good things for Toronto, and terrible things for opponents.
So the verdict? Win-win for both teams; a rarity in and of itself.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 11 | 483 ANSWERS Trade Completed Between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks After Key Condition Met Was the Jake McCabe trade the best trade Toronto made in the Auston Matthews era? | ||
| Yes | 375 | 77.6 % |
| No | 108 | 22.4 % |
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