Could Maple Leafs Defenseman Be the Oilers’ ‘Ekholm Jr.’ Target?

It’s well documented that a top-nine forward is at the top of GM Stan Bowman’s wishlist for the Edmonton Oilers as the March 6 trade deadline approaches. That will remain the priority until they find the player they’re looking for, though that doesn’t mean they won’t also be exploring help on the blue line along the way.

Jake Walman‘s return from a lengthy injury absence has further solidified Edmonton’s strong defensive corps; however, reports continue to suggest they wouldn’t mind bolstering the back end. Insider David Pagnotta has specifically referred to a Mattias Ekholm Jr.-type player — physical and defensively strong — on multiple occasions. While that won’t be easy to find, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent skid might have opened the door to a target that fits the mold: Jake McCabe.

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McCabe has been a rock on the blue line in Toronto since arriving in a trade from Chicago at the 2024 deadline. The Maple Leafs would have had no intention of moving him before the season started; however, with the way things have unraveled, they could look to cash in while his value is high and add to their depleted prospect pool and draft stock.

The 32-year-old is in year one of the five-year, $22,565,510 extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2024. He’s tallied 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) to go with 124 blocks and 75 hits in 52 games so far this season.

Jake McCabe Would Come at a Cost

What could stand in the way of bringing McCabe to Edmonton is the potential cost of doing business. GM Brad Treliving would undoubtedly set a steep asking price for his bruising defenseman, so is that something Bowman and company are capable of meeting?

It would start with a future first-round pick and probably involve another pick of value and/or a prospect to get Treliving’s attention. While that sounds hefty, Bowman has been known to prefer targeting players with term over rentals — which McCabe has, with four more years remaining after the 2025-26 campaign.

As a result, if the Oilers believe McCabe would be the final piece to solidify the back end, then spending up could be worth it. Another route they could explore is perhaps killing two birds with one stone by landing McCabe and Bobby McMann — a top-nine forward — though that, of course, would come at an even higher cost.

That said, inserting those two Maple Leafs into the Oilers lineup would make the team deeper and stronger across the board. We are all well aware of the window to win with Connor McDavid in Edmonton over the next few years, so if the right players — like McCabe and McMann — are what could push them closer to winning a Stanley Cup, Bowman has to at the very least make a serious run at them.

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