Leafs make another big trade acquiring McCabe and Lafferty from Blackhawks

Kyle Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs have again made a big trade leading up to the trade deadline. Toronto has acquired defencemen Jake McCabe and forward Sam Lafferty, a conditional 5th-round pick in 2024 and a conditional 5th-round pick in 2025 from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in 2025 and a 2026 second pick, Joey Anderson, and Pavel Gogolev.

With the addition of McCabe, the Blackhawks will retain 50% of McCabe’s contract. As a result, McCabe will have a $2-million cap hit through 2024-25. The 29-year-old will be a significant addition to the Leafs defence. He has 20 points in 55 games this year with Chicago, logs 20 minutes of ice a night and is a plus-seven this season.

Sam Lafferty has had a career year this season, collecting 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points. Lafferty is signed until next season with a $1.15 million cap hit.

Toronto once again gave up non-roster players in Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev. Anderson played in 14 games with Toronto this season, putting up five points. He had a successful year with the Toronto Marlies scoring 14 goals and 27 points. 

Pavel Gogolev was signed by the Leafs in 2021 but has played most of his season in the ECHL, with the Newfoundland Growlers tallying up 48 points in 33 games.

This trade shows that Kyle Dubas is all in for this season and next with his job on the line. After that, it is up to the players to make this playoff run successful. Expect the newly acquired Leafs to be in the lineup Wednesday night when Toronto takes on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers puck drop is at 8:00 PM EST on Sportsnet.

Photo Credits: NBC Sports