Report: Cade Webber signs contract with Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed the recently-acquired defensive prospect Cade Webber, according to a report from Athletic writer Joe Smith.

As of this moment, the details on the contract are not known outside of the fact that it will be an entry-level contract. The Maple Leafs acquired Webber’s rights from the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline for a 2026 sixth round pick.

Webber, 23, just finished his fourth season at Boston University after they were eliminated by Denver in the semifinals of the Frozen Four in a 2-1 overtime thriller. Webber only had six assists in 38 games this season, but was named the Best Defensive Defenceman in Hockey East for his play this season. Over his four-year tenure at Boston University, Webber had 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points in 123 games.

“Webber will never be an offensive threat,” said Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff’s prospect analyst. “He’ll always be someone that you throw on the ice to kill a penalty or shut down other team’s star players – at least in the NCAA. He can move, but does he have NHL-caliber speed? I’m not sure. You’re not looking for a guy his size to be quick, though, because he’s not going to rush in and try to chip in a goal – it’s all about shutting things down at the blueline or moving opponents out of the way.”

Webber was a fourth-round pick of the Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Draft out of U.S.H.S. Prep hockey, and after spending a season in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees, he proceeded to begin his collegiate career with Boston University in 2020.

Unless the Leafs lack so much confidence in their blueline that they’re willing to throw Webber to the wolves at the NHL level, it’s likely that he’ll start his professional career with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. The Marlies currently sit in fourth in the North Division, and have yet to secure a playoff spot. He joins a Marlies blueline that boasts prospects Topi Niemela, William Villeneuve, and Mikko Kokkonen, along with more veteran players like Max Lajoie, Marshall Rifai, and Cameron Gaunce.