Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to long-term deal but there's a twist

Originally posted on Hockey Unplugged | By Axel Williams | Last updated Oct 28, 2024 2:18 PM ET

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe was signed to a five-year contract extension today that comes with an AAV of $4.51 million.

However, as it turns out, the contract is actually worth more than what the Maple Leafs are advertising. According to Bartlett Hockey, there is actually some money being deferred here. This allows for McCabe to take home more cash while also circumventing those pesky Toronto taxes.

'While that's the current cap hit, the deal is actually $23.5m over 5 years ($4.7m AAV face value). There is some deferred money to bring down cap while increasing take home $ and maximizing tax efficiency'

The Leafs put out a statement on the signing and as you can imagine, they seem excited to be retaining McCabe for the long haul.

'The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has re-signed defenceman Jake McCabe to a five-year contract. The average annual value of the contract is $4.51 million.
McCabe, 31, has posted three assists in nine games with the Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season. The Eau Claire, WI native has recorded 155 points (33 goals, 122 assists) in 586 career regular season NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres while adding three points (one goal, two assists) in 18 career playoff games.

The 6'1, 212-pound defenceman was first acquired by Toronto in a trade with Chicago on February 27, 2023. McCabe was originally drafted by Buffalo in the second round (44th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.'

This article first appeared on Hockey Unplugged and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: