Toronto Maple Leafs Acquired a Hulking Prospect Defenseman at the Trade Deadline

If there is something that everyone knows about Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is that he loves big defenseman. He continued his trend one day prior to the NHL Trade Deadline by going out getting another big man on on March 7.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes made a deal that saw Ontario's capital acquire 6'7" left handed defenseman Cade Webber for the teams sixth round pick in 2026.

The 23-year old Webber was a fourth round selection from the 2019 NHL draft by the Hurricanes, two rounds after the Maple Leafs selected Nicholas Robertson.

Webber played primarily in the United States High School Prep league during his draft year, but also played seven games for the U.S. National U18 team.

After being drafted the American born defenseman would be an important in British Columbia's Junior A league for the Penticton Vees for one season before heading to Boston University where he has been playing with the likely upcoming first overall pick Mack Celebrini.

Cade Webber is a Physical Defensive Beast

A Twitter account that goes by @LeafsRealist put together a few clips of plays Webber has been part of for Boston University and he looks to be a strong net front prescience in his own end, punishing players that want to set up in front of a goalie.

Webber finishes his fourth and final year at Boston University which means the Carolina Hurricanes would have had to sign him by August 15 or he would become an unrestricted free agent.

Fans would have to assume that the Maple Leafs management have had some sort of talks with Webber to get him signed once his NCAA season is over which Treliving confirmed during his media availability on Friday when he stated that they had hoped to get him signed once his college season was over and have him playing for the Marlies.

Through four years in college, Webber scored a grand total of one goal while recording 17-points, but is known as a defensive first player. It will be interesting to see if the team gives him time with Topi Niemelä who is a year younger than the new addition and is the top offensive defense prospect in the organization.

Webber isn't the first time the Maple Leafs have acquired a player in similar circumstances. In June 2015, the team acquired a Florida Panther's draft pick who was likely not going to sign with their team after four years at the University of Michigan. The team parted ways with a conditional pick and Greg McKegg to acquire a guy by the name of Zach Hyman.