Craig Berube Delivers Concerning News on Maple Leafs' Defenseman Jake McCabe
Head coach Craig Berube did nothing but raise more concerns when he was asked about the injury status of defenseman Jake McCabe.
During last Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, defenseman Jake McCabe ended up leaving the game leaving the game due to an injury suffered after hitting the ice awkwardly during a scrap with the Flyers' Garnet Hathaway.
It was an unfortunate incident for the Maple Leafs and for McCabe as he's been such a bright spot this season and recently signed a big extension to be a key contributor to the team.
Already dealing with one head injury this season, concerns are growing McCabe could be out long-term.
Craig Berube's Comments Regarding Jake McCabe's Injury
Head coach Craig Berube was less than ecstatic about the potential return of McCabe and gave an honest albeit negative outlook on the situation:
I think that's probably the best way I can put it. And I'm not sure when that is.»
It's not the thing you want to hear from your head coach and it's much of the same as fans have heard this season.
Day-to-day to Maple Leafs fans signals a sign of something worse, as several players who were deemed to only miss a day or two end up missing weeks.
McCabe has been a huge impact player for the Maple Leafs this season, having a goal and 10 assists while adding elite shot-blocking and defensive metrics.
He has nearly as many blocks as hits, and his pairing with Chris Tanev has been one of the NHL's best.
His defensive improvements haven't gone unnoticed either, as he's logging more minutes and earning 69.8% of the team's defensive zone starts; a massive leap from the 62.1% last season and an incredible jump from 2022-2023 where he was near only 50%.
It's a big loss for the Maple Leafs if McCabe is out, and while they do have the players necessary to weather the storm they need to step it up.
Chris Tanev will do his usual schtick, but Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Simon Benoit, and Philippe Myers will need to do their best McCabe impression in his absence.
Craig Berube's comments don't help Maple Leafs fans but rest assured they can handle things without McCabe. If this was last season however, things might be much more concerning.
