The Maple Leafs have added depth to their defensive core with Jake McCabe
The Leafs have done it again! They have added another core piece to their Stanley Cup hopeful team in Jake McCabe. The former Chicago Blackhawks was traded to Toronto for picks and players, according to Toronto Maple Leafs’ Twitter.
For McCabe, the Blackhawks received a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a 2026 second-round pick, Joey Anderson, and Pavel Gogolev. In addition, the Blackhawks will retain 50% of McCabe’s salary. McCabe is currently getting paid $4 million a year until he gets a $1 million increase in the 2024-25 season. McCabe will become a free agent in the 2025-26 season. Alongside getting the key defensemen from Chicago, the Maple Leafs also acquired picks and a player. They received a conditional 5th round pick in 2024 and 2025 as well as center Sam Lafferty.
During his time with the Blackhawks this season, McCabe has tallied a total of 20 points in 55 games played. He has two goals and 18 assists. McCabe also has a plus-minus of 7 and 27 penalties in minutes.
McCabe will be alongside notable defenseman in Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin. He will instantly make a big impact for the Maple Leafs as they look to increase their elite defense this season. Currently, the Leafs rank 10th in penalty kill percentage, fourth in goals against, and sixth in shots against. This group has been very surprising in terms of defense this season, as in past years they have struggled to hold off elite offenses.
McCabe hasn’t been the only “big fish” addition to this Maple Leafs roster before this trade deadline. Recently, they acquired highly talented two-way forward Ryan O’Reilly from the St. Louis Blues. I am sure the Leafs aren’t done from loading up before the playoffs this year as the eastern conference is stacked.
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