Toronto blueliner McCabe forced out in Columbus after high stick
Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe was ruled out for the rest of Tuesday's game in Columbus after a stick caught him in the face during the first period. McCabe has no points in 10 games this season while playing on the top pair with Darren Raddysh. If he misses more action, the Maple Leafs would already be without Chris Tanev, who is sidelined week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
McCabe, 33, is in his 14th NHL season and second year of a five-year Toronto contract carrying a $4.153M cap hit. The Wisconsin native joined via a 2022-23 deadline trade from Chicago. He has partnered Darren Raddysh on the top pair, averaging 20:10, with zero points and a minus-1 rating in 10 games. A first-period high stick ended his night.
If he misses more time, Toronto would also lack Chris Tanev, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Troy Stecher has filled in beside Morgan Rielly, while Marshall Rifai and Oliver Ekman-Larsson form the third pair. The Leafs’ win in Columbus followed a victory over San Jose, lifting them to 5-4-2 and pushing their goal differential positive.
McCabe’s injury could affect the Maple Leafs’ defensive depth, forcing coaches to adjust pairings and increasing minutes for healthy blueliners. Teammates and fans may feel concern for his recovery, while the club’s short-term results could influence playoff positioning and fan engagement in Toronto. If he misses time, the impact may extend to broadcast narratives and roster decisions, though the full extent depends on medical evaluation.