The Leafs traded for the defenceman two years ago almost to the day. His superb season offers a glimpse at possibilities for the deadline.

Jake McCabe is an essential part of the Toronto Maple Leafs and in many ways, he defines what the team aspires to be. McCabe is a physical presence who operates as the team’s best point-of-attack defender,

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ status as projected buyers ahead of Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline is a privileged position and a familiar one for nearly a decade.

Breaking down three possible paths the Maple Leafs could take at the deadline: bold, conservative or uninspired.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a quietly reliable and cheap forward at the deadline, they could find a perfect candidate with the Vancouver Canucks.