Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to a huge contract extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big internal splash this morning, locking up Jake McCabe to a long-term contract extension that will keep him with the team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked in defenceman Jake McCabe for the long term, inking him to a five-year contract extension. That closes a deal that will keep McCabe with the franchise long into the future. The team announced the deal on Monday that certainly makes for quite the investment from the Leafs in a player who has proven his value on the ice.

Starting next season, McCabe's new deal will carry an average annual value of $4.51 million, substantially greater than his current $2 million salary. His previous deal was set to expire this summer, so the timing of the extension works perfectly for both McCabe and the team. He clearly fits into the Leafs' plans as a cornerstone of their defensive core going forward.

McCabe, 31, was acquired in a high-profile trade from the Chicago Blackhawks on February 27, 2023, also including forward Sam Lafferty and a package of draft picks. Since then, McCabe has had an exceptional year, having his best season last year with eight goals and 28 points in 73 games. His contributions could not go unnoticed as he led all Leafs defencemen with a terrific plus-20 rating during the regular season, then added a goal in the postseason.

To this point in the season, McCabe has remained hot. In just nine games, he's recorded three assists to go along with a team-high plus-6 rating, further illustrating his value to the Maple Leafs' defensive performance. As consistent as he has been, the decision to lock him up long-term has proven to be a good one thus far.

Picked in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Jake McCabe has become a very good top-four defenceman. The fact that he's spent this much time in Toronto says a lot about the man who brings leadership to the team. The new deal ensures McCabe will be part of the Maple Leafs' future.

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