Friedman reveals Maple Leafs took trade calls on surprising veteran defenseman
Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The trade deadline passed, and Craig Berube kept Jake McCabe on the blue line, but the noise out of Toronto was deafening.
Elliotte Friedman dropped a massive hint on Real Kyper & Bourne this week.
He reported the Maple Leafs essentially hung an 'Open for Business' sign on the locker room door.
Management was listening to any and all ideas.
They took calls on almost everybody, including one of their core physical defenders.
McCabe is anchored to a $4.51 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season.
Moving that contract would have completely altered their transition game.
Evaluating the Maple Leafs' Struggling Blue Line
The defensive structure collapsed entirely in the third period over the last three games. Unacceptable.
Berube demands heavy hockey, but he also needs crisp passing out of the defensive zone.
With exactly 19 games left on the schedule, the front office is evaluating every single asset.
McCabe brings undeniable sandpaper, logging over 20 minutes a night.
But Toronto is desperate for a spark, mired in a miserable slump after dropping seven straight contests heading into the homestand.
Several top-six forwards went minus-3 during this disastrous stretch.
The penalty kill is bleeding high-danger chances since Friday.
Expect major roster surgery this summer if the current freefall continues.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres pull off player swap days after trade deadline
Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres pull off player swap days after trade deadline
| POLL | ||
MARS 9|241 ANSWERS Friedman reveals Maple Leafs took trade calls on surprising veteran defenseman Will the Maple Leafs trade Jake McCabe this summer? | ||
| Yes | 151 | 62.7 % |
| No | 90 | 37.3 % |
| List of polls | ||