The Buffalo Sabres will be without Jake McCabe for the rest of the 2017-18 season, as he’ll undergo shoulder surgery that will keep him out for four to six months. According to GM Jason Botterill, McCabe had been dealing with the problem for a while:
Jake has been progressing well in his recovery from his previous injury, but we decided that this was a good opportunity to take care of a problem that he has been dealing with for a while. Jake will have time to fully recover before the beginning of the 2018-19 season.
Even though the Sabres are struggling through another disappointing season, McCabe is one of the hopefuls to be part of a turnaround. Just 24, the defenseman has shown potential to become a solid player in his own end and a top-4 defenseman in the NHL. Though he’s clearly not done developing, there is reason to think he can be a solid piece going forward.
McCabe has one more season on his current deal that carries a $1.6MM cap hit, after which he’ll be a restricted free agent. Starting July 1st, the team could consider an extension to buy out some of his UFA years, or wait to see what he can do coming off this latest injury. Four months gives him plenty of time to get ready for training camp, while six is starting to cut it pretty close. Regardless, unless he faces a setback in his rehab he’ll be ready to go on opening day.