Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe exited Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper-body injury and will not return.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed it was an upper-body injury, but did not provide a further update on McCabe’s status post-game.
Craig Berube says Jake McCabe suffered an upper-body injury but can’t provide further update beyond that. “It’s concerning, for sure. Like I said, I don’t like seeing it.”
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) January 6, 2025
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Late in the first period, Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway and McCabe were battling for positioning off the rush when Hathaway collided with goalie Dennis Hildeby. McCabe immediately took exception to the hit by locking him down to the ice while giving a few shoves in defence of his goaltender.
After a bit of shoving, Hathaway eventually had enough and the two dropped the gloves. It was at the end of this fight when McCabe fell awkwardly and appeared to hit his head on the ice. He was able to exit the ice under his own power, but skated to the locker room and did not return
the full incident between McCabe and Hathaway pic.twitter.com/EKfxkd8SKw
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 6, 2025
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Losing McCabe for any amount of time would be a devastating blow for the Leafs given his strong partnership with Chris Tanev to form one of the top defensive pairings in the NHL right now. He has been among the team’s most consistent defenceman all season and has provided a stabilizing force that has helped lead to their improved defensive play this season.
It would also be the second injury involving his head this season as the 31-year-old took a puck to the face during a November 30 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and missed five games. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said that night McCabe wouldn’t miss any time, but he was later placed on injured reserve before returning on December 12 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Going into Sunday’s game, McCabe had recorded 11 points (one goal and 10 assists) in 35 games played along with 71 hits and 68 blocks. McCabe’s strong play helped secure him a five-year extension with the Leafs that carries an AAV of $4.51 million, which included some deferred money to lower the cap hit.
Originally acquired on February 27, 2023, in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, McCabe has posted 44 points (10 goals and 34 assists) in 129 games as a Leaf while posting three points (a goal and two assists) in 18 playoff games.