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The 4 Next Moves the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Make This Offseason

What potential immediate offseason moves by the Leafs can help lead them to long term success?

By Edward Eng

Dec 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (11) reacts after a goal by defenseman Jake McCabe (not pictured) as Columbus Blue Jackets defeneseman Zach Werenski (8) retrieves the puck out of the net during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (11) reacts after a goal by defenseman Jake McCabe (not pictured) as Columbus Blue Jackets defeneseman Zach Werenski (8) retrieves the puck out of the net during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Extend Jake McCabe ASAP

With Morgan Rielly often stealing the spotlight on the Leafs defense for reasons of both good and bad, one defensive stalwart that has flown under the radar and has practically gone unnoticed this past season was the play of Jake McCabe.

After coming over from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2023 trade deadline, McCabe has actually been one of the most reliable defenseman for the team in terms of both offense and defense.

Offensively, McCabe put together a career year with the Leafs this past season when he scored 8 goals and added another 20 assists for 28 points in 73 games played.

He also looked good in the sporadic times he was put on the power play and possessed a strong, accurate shot that opposing goaltenders should respect.

Defensively, McCabe has done well in practically everything that was expected of him and more. He ranked second on the team in hits with 219 and third in blocked shots with 129, becoming the defensive general in the backend for the Leafs.

More importantly, at 5-on-5 situations, McCabe had a 51% CF, and 52% expected goals and scoring chances rate, tilting the ice in the Leafs favor despite often facing the opposing teams’ top lines.

Currently, McCabe has one year left in his contract valued at just $2 million (since the other $2 million of his salary was retained by the Blackhawks).

With his potential and smart game play improving by the day, it should be a priority for the Leafs to lock him down before he prices himself out of town. With his gritty style of play, couple with his flashes of elite offensive potential, he is the closest Jake Muzzin-facsimile that the Leafs have and that in itself speaks about how valuable he can be for the team and their future.

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