Jake McCabe inks NHL deal with Buffalo Sabres, gives up final season at Wisconsin

Wisconsin junior defenseman Jake McCabe has signed an NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his final season of eligibility in Madison.

Buffalo selected McCabe in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft, No. 48 overall. According to terms set by the NHL collective bargaining agreement, McCabe will be signing a three-year deal with the Sabres.

Sources have confirmed the deal is a full rookie max contract and that the Sabres are burning a year of his deal to bring him to the NHL immediately. McCabe's salary would be $925,000 per season across the board with a $92,500 signing bonus in each year of the deal.

The junior from Eau Claire, Wis., improved in every season as a Badger and reached a career high in goals (eight) and points (25) this past season. For his efforts, McCabe was named first-team All-Big Ten as a junior.

McCabe will join the Sabres for the rest of the season, getting a head start on what is expected to be a long NHL career.

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