In a recent survey of NHL executives regarding the calibre of management on each team, the Toronto Maple Leafs were ranked close to the bottom of the league. The Athletic conducted this survey, which came as a complete surprise to no Leafs supporters.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be rising in the rankings anytime soon thanks to a decision they made on Monday.
The Leafs have extended Jake McCabe for four more seasons at a cap hit of $4.5 million, even though they already have three defensemen who will be at least 32 years old next season.
Prior to this agreement taking effect, McCabe will age 32, and Morgan Rielly of the Leafs will also turn 32 the following season. Chris Tanev will turn 35 next year, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson will turn 34.
Jake McCabe was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, which was a grave error.
This move might make sense if this were one of the NHL’s top blue-lines. However, it’s not among the NHL’s top blue lines; rather, it’s the league’s most mediocre blue line, coming in at about number 15 overall.
Other teams were paying half of Jake McCabe’s salary, thus the Leafs were receiving a terrific return on their investment. However, now that he would cost the team more than twice as much, he won’t be worth the money.
Please understand that Jake McCabe is a good player. He is a reliable player who is physically fit and rarely makes mistakes. However, he isn’t getting any younger and has virtually no offensive game.
Additionally, there are times when McCabe is nearly unplayable and gives the impression that he might be more comfortable in a third pairing. At this price, he is unable to play on a third pairing and will not improve.
The only thing this contract does is restrict the Leafs’ options. It doesn’t make them better today, but it keeps them from getting better.
The Leafs’ finest trade piece was Jake McCabe.Losing him wouldn’t have a significant impact on the team’s overall performance because he isn’t a star, but other teams always overpay for players like him. He would have been much more appealing given his present salary and his UFA status. [source: puckpedia.com].The team may have been improved with the money obtained from trading him.
McCabe had the opportunity to replenish the Leafs’ finances and enable them to take action to strengthen their squad. Their team isn’t strong enough to compete, they have limited resources, and they are now confined.
The Leafs’ current top four isn’t among the best in the league right now, and this contract is locked in for four more years, which is the issue. It seems like I’m one of the few individuals that dislikes this popular move, but I’m telling you: it’s a bad idea that time won’t be kind to.
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