Maple Leafs' McCabe says extension talks are underway

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said Friday he and the club have begun discussions on a contract extension and there's mutual interest in reaching a deal.

"Yeah, we've talked a couple times," McCabe said, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "I love it here, and I think they enjoy my game, too."

McCabe is entering the final season of his current contract, which pays him $4 million annually. Only half of that amount is on the Maple Leafs' books as the Chicago Blackhawks retained 50% of his salary in the 2023 trade that sent him to Toronto.

The Maple Leafs acquired McCabe and forward Sam Lafferty - who has since left the club - from Chicago for a first- and second-round pick in 2025 as well as two players.

McCabe was an instant fit on Toronto's blue line and notched a career-high 28 points in 73 games last season. The rugged blue-liner added 219 hits and 129 blocks in 2023-24 while averaging over 20 minutes per contest.

The Maple Leafs reshaped their defensive corps this summer by adding Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa, but McCabe is still projected to feature prominently at even strength and on the penalty kill.

Along with McCabe, star forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares are other notable Maple Leafs playing on expiring contracts this season.