At the beginning of training camp, McCabe was asked about his future with the Leafs and revealed that he and the team were in talks for a new contract. His remarks supported an earlier report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, which stated that preliminary discussions had taken place.
During Wednesday’s episode of ‘Real Kyper & Bourne,’ hosts Justin Bourne and Nick Kypreos were discussing the Leafs’ defense when Kypreos mentioned that a McCabe extension might be finalized as soon as this weekend.
“I heard that a Jake McCabe extension could be on the way before the season kicks off. The talks have been positive… There’s still some debate on the length, but I believe he would have no issue making $30 million over six years starting next season.”
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The 30-year-old defenseman was acquired in February 2023 from the Chicago Blackhawks, along with Sam Lafferty and conditional fifth-round picks for 2024 and 2025, with the Blackhawks retaining $2 million of his $4 million salary. Since joining the Leafs, McCabe has played 94 games, scoring 9 goals and totaling 34 points while averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
He quickly became a fan favorite in Toronto due to his physical playing style, evidenced by his 219 hits last season and strong defensive contributions. Although a six-year contract might seem lengthy for a 30-year-old defenseman, it would be a better investment than the six-year deal Chris Tanev received from the Leafs at the start of free agency, given the age difference.
