Jake McCabe continuously put his body on the line as Maple Leafs endured rough season

While the 2025-26 version of the Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, one player who drew praise from the fanbase was defenceman Jake McCabe. 

“It’s really exciting for me and my family,” McCabe said. “We’ve loved our time in Toronto thus far, and to be able to sign out for another five years is super exciting for us.”

How the year went

McCabe appeared in 80 games this season, picking up five goals and 20 assists, and his 25 points were only three off the career-high of 28 he set with the Maple Leafs during the 2023-24 season. Notably, McCabe finished the year with a plus-three rating, a strong showing on a team that only had two players finish on the plus side with at least 50 games played. 

“It was funny, my kids are giving me a hard time today. They said, ‘Dad, you never score goals, when are you gonna score a goal,’” he said. “It’s nice to get one, especially in the first period when I know they’re still up watching.  Looking forward to seeing them in the morning and getting their reaction.”

McCabe was complimented by teammates night in and night out for his ability to be difficult to play against and his willingness to lay his body on the line. McCabe finished the year with a league-leading 190 shots blocked, throwing his body in the line of defence night in and night out. 

“He’s unbelievable, he eats minutes for us, and I love having him back there playing in front of me,” Woll said. “Obviously, he blocks a lot of shots, and he’s a great presence out there. He always makes the right plays and plays top minutes against opposing teams’ top guys, so it’s been awesome.”

Statistical profile

All stats on 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, among all players with 400 minutes or greater. 

McCabe’s value on the Maple Leafs comes from being hard to play against, being strong on the penalty kill, and keeping the puck out of his own net. The plus-four rating that McCabe racked up this season highlights the strong level of play he was able to showcase on a Maple Leafs team that struggled mightily. 

The defenceman was on the ice for 63 goals for and 71 against, and while the minus-eight differential isn’t great, it should be noted that the Maple Leafs finished the season with an overall goal differential of -46. McCabe’s 63 goals clocked in at the same number he posted during the 2023-24 season, when the Maple Leafs finished with a 46-26-10 record, and a goal differential of +40. 

With McCabe remaining under contract for the next four seasons with an AAV of $4.51 million, the Maple Leafs will be counting on McCabe to continue to be a player who racks up the shot blocks and hits as they try to prove the 2025-26 season was just an aberration.  

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