Maple Leafs Swing Trade With Hurricanes

 This one won't move the needle much for the 2024 playoffs, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have swung a minor deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, trading for unsigned draft pick Cade Webber for a future draft selection.

TRADE: We’ve acquired defenceman Cade Webber from the Carolina Hurricanes

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 7, 2024

The Leafs will send a sixth-round pick in 2026 for the Canes' former 4th-round pick from 2019.

Toronto continues its pattern at this deadline of acquiring D-men with plenty of size. 

Webber is a left-shot D who stands a towering 6'7" and 210 pounds. He has played the past four seasons with Boston University, and has shown his defensive prowess, registering a plus/minus rating of +35 over the course of 115 games, while recording 16 points. 

The Leafs have until August 15 to sign him or his rights will expire. Per Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, he might be worth the deal to get some AHL/ECHL depth for the Buds.

Cade Webber:

- Tall
- Blocks a ton of shots
- Has done very well academically
- Would be surprised if he ever becomes an NHLer, but wasn't going to sign in Carolina

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) March 7, 2024

As he also notes, Webber is a shot-blocker who uses his length. He has had some academic awards while at Boston U., though not sure how that will help him in getting to the NHL.  

The Leafs have also obtained a couple of towering veteran NHL blueliners in recent days, Joel Edmundson, who stands 6'5", along with physical d-man Ilya Lyubushkin, 6'2". 

Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports