Top-4 defenseman reportedly may have blocked a trade to all Canadian franchises ahead of the deadline
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe will more than likely be traded ahead of this year's trade deadline, with his team toiling at the bottom of the standings with 22 points in 38 games as they lead the charge in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.
According to Elliotte Friedman however, the Hawks blueliner has no interest in being traded to a Canadian team and further points out that his 7-team no-trade list could include every Canadian team.
This is an important nugget because the Edmonton Oilers had a lot of interest - as they do with nearly every defenseman available - and Friedman believes there's virtually no chance that McCabe waives his no-trade clause to go to Edmonton.
The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native was drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Sabres, which is where he spent the first 8 years of his career. He notched 18 goals and 77 points in 353 games while averaging 19:15 TOI. He then signed a 4-year deal with Chicago in 2021, where he has 6 goals and 32 points in 110 games through parts of 2 seasons.
Four Canadian teams currently hold a playoff spot today with the Toronto Maple Leafs second in the Atlantic Division, the Winnipeg Jets second in the Central Division, and both the Oilers and the Calgary Flames occupying the Wild Card spots in the Western Conference. Even with a shot at playing playoff hockey north of the border, McCabe is not likely to waive his NTC for a trade to one of the 7 Canadian franchises.
