The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. The Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in retaining defenseman Jake McCabe after this season. The 30-year-old, whose contract — a four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Chicago in July 2021 — is up after this season, is reportedly interested in remaining in the Maple Leafs organization. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman in the newest 32 Thoughts [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] with Kyle Bukauskas, Toronto and McCabe's camp have already discussed the veteran defenseman re-signing with the club. "I believe they've had some conversation with Jake McCabe about extending him," Friedman reported. "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." The Maple Leafs acquired McCabe, and 50 percent of his salary, in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in Feb. 2023. Toronto also received Sam Lafferty, a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024 and 2025 in exchange for a 2025 conditional first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, Joey Anderson, and Pavel Gogolev. Since the trade, McCabe has been one of Toronto's most relied-upon defensemen. He's consistently played within the Maple Leafs' top four and has demonstrated the hard-nosed game he can play every night. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3dawZ5wM5Y[/embed] McCabe has played 94 games with Toronto, scoring nine goals and 24 assists while averaging 20:23 of ice time per game. The defender also had 219 hits last season, the second-most on the team, behind Simon Benoit, and the third-most ice-time averaged (20:39) among defenders in the club, trailing only Morgan Rielly (23:44) and TJ Brodie (21:43). He's also appeared in 18 playoff games with the club, scoring one goal and two assists. During Toronto's 2023-24 playoff series against the Boston Bruins, McCabe averaged 21:24 of ice time through seven games, the second-most among defensemen on the team. McCabe is set to be a free agent on July 1, 2025, if a deal is not reached between the Maple Leafs and the defender. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Report: Maple Leafs Restricted Free Agent Nick Robertson 'Still Would Prefer A Change Of Address' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-maple-leafs-restricted-free-agent-nick-robertson-still-would-prefer-a-change-of-address] ‘Based On What I’ve Been Able To Piece Together, We’re Likely To See Him At Training Camp In Toronto’: Jani Hakanpaa Reportedly Remains a Possibility to Join the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/based-on-what-ive-been-able-to-piece-together-were-likely-to-see-him-at-training-camp-in-toronto-jani-hakanpaa-reportedly-remains-a-possibility-to-join-the-maple-leafs] Former Maple Leafs Forward Nikolay Kulemin Attempting Return to the NHL by Joining Senators on a Professional Tryout (PTO) [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-former-maple-leafs-forward-nikolay-kulemin-attempting-return-to-the-nhl-by-joining-senators-on-a-professional-tryout-pto] News from THN.com 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga] The Wraparound Show: Remembering Johnny Gaudreau [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/the-wraparound-show-remembering-johnny-gaudreau]
