Toronto Maple Leafs 30-year-old defenseman Jake McCabe has lost no time in confirming that talks are underway for a potential contract extension with the franchise.
McCabe, who is entering the final season of his four-year, $16 million contract, expressed his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs long-term at the team’s training camp on Friday, via Sportsnet.
“We’ve talked a couple times,” McCabe said. “I love it here and I think they enjoy my game too.”
While interested in signing an extension with Toronto, McCabe seems focused on what happens on the ice, leaving contract talks to his agents off of it.
“That’s why you have agents, and now it’s training camp time,” McCabe said. “So I’m just looking forward to being with the fellas and ramping up our game… We’ll see where things go.”
Since joining the Leafs in February 2023 in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks, McCabe has been an integral part of the team’s blue line. He played 73 games last season, contributing 8 goals and 20 assists for 28 points.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman already hinted at the mutual interest in getting a deal done between McCabe and the Maple Leafs on the September 6 episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast.
“I believe they’ve had some conversation with Jake McCabe about extending him,” Friedman said. “I think he’s perfect for them. I think he’s exactly the kind of player they need.”
Looking ahead to the 2024–25 season, McCabe says his focus is not just on securing a contract but also on becoming a bigger leader for the Maple Leafs. “Continue to improve,” McCabe stated.
“That’s been my goal every single year in this league. I want to just take another step as a leader on this team and just keep pushing us in the right direction.”
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