Webber tells The Athletic's Joshua Kloke that his goal is to go straight to the NHL with the Maple Leafs.
Cade Webber intends to sign with the Maple Leafs after his season at Boston University concludes this spring.
The 23-year-old's signing rights were acquired by Toronto from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the Maple Leafs' sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. It was a trade that caught many by surprise, but it's also one that both Toronto and Webber hope to benefit from.
In a recent interview with The Athletic's Joshua Kloke, the defenseman stated he was surprised by the trade to Toronto. However, at the same time, he was excited to be joining an organization that wanted him.
"I’m humbled (the Leafs) traded for me," the defender told Kloke. "I’m excited to be part of an organization that has historic track record and is on the edge of a Stanley Cup."
Last week, Webber was selected as the best defensive defenseman in Hockey East, just three days after being named the Hockey East defender of the week. With all the accolades he's picked up recently, the defenseman is ready to take the next step in his career.
And that's to sign with the Maple Leafs.
"That’s the plan," Webber told Kloke. "I want to get up there, compete, and be part of what’s happening there for the next few years."
Along with being the best defensive defenseman in Hockey East, Webber also holds the NCAA's division one men's hockey blocked shots record. He's up to 120 blocked shots this year, which is 51 ahead of the next player on Boston University.
"He's a defense-first guy. He's a big body. He moves well, moves the puck well. But his calling card is defending, penalty killing, those types of things. He's a guy who's a little bit further along in terms of his development," Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said following the trade deadline.
"When the opportunity came to acquire him, we did."
When the Maple Leafs and Webber eventually agree on a deal, there's two places he could end up. And while the defenseman is adamant that his objective is to begin at the top level, he's open to playing wherever he can grow the most.
"The goal is to go straight to the NHL," he told Kloke. "But whatever (the Leafs) think is best for me and whatever the best fit is going to give me the best chance to get to that level."
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