Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe Speaks On Potential Extension

Jake McCabe became one of—if not the—most consistent and reliable defenseman on the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline in his first full year with the team last season. Both sides are quite liking the arrangement and are coming back for more.

According to McCabe himself, he and the Leafs are working on an extension, as he enters the final year of his contract.

Jake McCabe says he and the Leafs have started talking extension. Mutual interest in getting something done and he’s willing to negotiate in season. He loves it here. Leafs love his game.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) September 20, 2024

McCabe says there is mutual interest, and that he's willing to have his agent negotiate a new deal with the team during the season. According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, the D-man "loves it" in Toronto, and, likewise, the Leafs "love his game."

The 30-year-old (turns 31 next month) had the best season of his 11-year career in 2023-24, with career-highs in goals (8), points (28), plus/minus rating (+20), and hits (219, far and away the best of his career). He added 129 blocked shots, and logged 20:39 ice time per night, just three seconds off his personal best set seven years earlier with the Buffalo Sabres.

McCabe is wrapping up a four-year deal with a $4 million cap hit this season, and will once again be a staple in the Buds' top four on the blueline, while playing major minutes on the penalty kill as well.

There's no doubt that his style will mesh perfectly with what new head coach Craig Berube wants to see from his charges.