Asking price for potential Leafs trade target reportedly increasing
A prominent name to look out for ahead of the NHL's trade deadline is defenseman, Jake McCabe of the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Blackhawks committing to the tank, looking to move on from any and every contract, and hoping to recoup as many future assets as possible to further their rebuild, McCabe has drawn more and more interest.
Adding defenseman at the deadline is generally a foregone conclusion for most contenders because depth is essential especially for a long and arduous post-season. McCabe is tantalizing because he's a steady defensive defenseman who is under contract for 2 more seasons at a very reasonable 4 million AAV. The Blackhawks could be enticed to retain half of his salary even if it's for another 2 seasons but the asking price increases.
At his current 4 million AAV, the sense around the NHL is that Chicago wants a package that includes a first round pick. He has the capabilities of a top-4 defenseman, scored a career high 22 points last season, and currently has 15 points in 47 games and is somehow a plus-3 on a very bad Chicago team. Previously, the reported ask on McCabe without retention was a 2nd round pick and with retention, the reported ask was a 1st rounder.
Salary retention wouldn't be a problem for Chicago either as they are currently projected to have close to 45 million in cap space next season. So as long as the recipient is willing to dish out more than their original asking price at his original salary, the deal can be completed with relative ease. With more teams knocking on the door, the Blackhawks are in no rush to make a trade, which will only increase the asking price.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have expressed interest in the defenseman and are supposed to be one of many suitors. If they are willing to meet Chicago's demands, they better act fast because someone is going to scoop him up in the not-so-distant future.
Adding him into the fray with Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano, Rasmus Sandin, Justin Holl, and Timothy Liljegren will only provide an additional layer of skill for the Leafs come playoff time - on top of the fact that they will have him under their employ for another 2 seasons at a relatively low cost for a team that will be up against the salary cap.
| POLL | ||
11 FEVRIER | 99 ANSWERS Asking price for potential Leafs trade target reportedly increasing With the price increasing on McCabe, should the Leafs look elsewhere to fill their need on the blueline? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 79.8 % |
| No | 20 | 20.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
