‘The One Thing I Did Hear Is Potentially A Jake McCabe Extension Coming’: Maple Leafs Defenseman Could Reportedly Sign New Contract Before Season Begins
McCabe is entering the final year of a four-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2021.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe could be on the verge of signing a new contract extension with the club before the 2024-25 season begins.
On Wednesday's episode of Real Kyper and Bourne, co-host Nick Kypreos suggested that McCabe and the Maple Leafs have had positive discussions about a new deal, which could be finalized before the puck drops on October 9 to start the regular season.
“The one thing I did hear is potentially a Jake McCabe extension coming, maybe before the season starts,” Kypreos told co-hosts, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee. “I heard talks were real good. Now, still maybe debatable on how much term and maybe that still might fluctuate the AAV. But I’m thinking right now that he’d have no problem right now next season making $30 million over six years.”
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As Kypreos reported, McCabe’s new deal could vary in length and average annual value (AAV), but he floated the possibility of a contract worth $5 million annually over six years – a significant raise from McCabe's current four-year, $16 million deal, which he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.
The Leafs acquired the 30-year-old from the Blackhawks at the 2022-23 trade deadline as part of a deal that sent a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and forwards Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev to Chicago, who retained 50 percent of his salary. His current cap hit in Toronto has been a manageable $2 million, a valuable figure for a team that is operating close to the salary cap ceiling.
This isn’t the first time talk of an extension has surfaced for the hard-nosed defenseman. In early September, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that McCabe and the Leafs had already engaged in preliminary discussions.
"I believe they've had some conversation with Jake McCabe about extending him," Friedman said on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. "I think he's perfect for them. I think he's exactly the kind of player they need. I don't know where this is going to go, but I do believe they've had some conversations about extending McCabe. We'll see."
On the second day of training camp (September 20), McCabe addressed the media regarding the contract speculation and expressed his appreciation for being in Toronto.
“I love it here. I think they enjoy my game too," McCabe said. "That's why you have agents and now it's training camp time. I'm just looking forward to being with the fellas here and, like I said, ramping up our game and getting ready for the season."
He added, “We've been chatting and we'll see where things go."
Since joining Toronto, McCabe has made a name for himself as a physical presence through his blue-collared playstyle. He quickly transitioned into a leadership role while maintaining a top-four role for the club and playing crucial minutes in a shutdown capacity. During the 2023-24 season, McCabe recorded the second-highest average ice time of his career at 20:39 per game and delivered a career-high 219 hits.
His playstyle matches Toronto’s new identity under general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube, making the fit understandable through a clear desire from both sides to continue the relationship long-term.
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While nothing is confirmed, all signs point toward the possibility of a long-term deal being completed soon. In 112 regular season and postseason games since the 2022-23 season in Toronto, he has recorded 10 goals and 26 assists for a 36-point total. The former second-round pick reached career highs in goals (8), assists, (20), and points (28) in the 2023-24 season.
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