It’s been speculated and reported on for months, and today, it became official. On Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced the signing of Boston University defenceman Cade Webber to a two-year entry-level contract.
🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Cade Webber to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Details | https://t.co/rHvOdA84Hg pic.twitter.com/OmmHRyyTvZ
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 18, 2024
A 23-year-old defenceman from Weston, Massachusetts, Webber was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Maple Leafs acquired his rights from the Hurricanes at the trade deadline, sending a 2026 sixth-round pick the other way.
Webber is an all-defence, no-offence defenceman who stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 208 pounds. He’s coming off of his fourth year with Boston University and primarily skated alongside Montreal Canadiens top prospect Lane Hutson. He didn’t score a single goal all year and recorded only six assists in 34 games, but his defensive game is his calling card and was recognized this past season, taking home Hockey East’s “Best Defensive Defenceman” honours. He’s not the most physical player in terms of throwing booming Jake McCabe-style checks, but he’s wise with his size and uses it extremely effectively to shut down opposing forwards and clear them from the front of the net, something the Leafs need work in.
The signing of Webber is consistent with the type of defencemen Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has coveted since taking over in the role. Of all of the defencemen he’s acquired, whether that be through the draft, free agency, or trade, none of them are shorter than 6-foot-2. Their ability to play hockey obviously comes into play here, but you can see the emphasis Treliving has put on big blueliners here.
Webber is currently in Tampa with the Leafs and will be joining their roster for the playoffs. Expect one of Matthew Knies or Nick Robertson to be assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) later today in order to open up the roster spot, then be recalled ahead of Saturday’s Game 1 against the Boston Bruins.
