Despite a couple of West Coast wins on the current road trip, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain seven points back of a playoff spot heading into Tuesday’s play. The realization might finally have hit home with the front office that this team just doesn’t have what it takes this season. Selling some pieces—notably UFAs—is seemingly the only sensical path for the Buds as the trade deadline nears.
Of all the team’s potential trade pieces, Bobby McMann, closing in on his second straight 20-goal season, would seem to be the Leafs’ best asset.
Insider Elliotte Friedman, appearing on the Real Kyper & Bourne podcast on Sportsnet, says there’s some buzz out there about the Alberta native being connected to his hometown team.
A lot of people are kind of equating Bobby McMann with Edmonton because he’s from there, so it makes sense. I don’t know if that’ll happen, but then people started saying well maybe Brandon Carlo and McMann, but someone said no, they don’t have interest in Carlo.
The obvious connection isn’t lost on McMann, who was asked about it as the Leafs get set to face off in Edmonton on Tuesday night.
McMann addresses Oilers trade rumors
“Doesn’t matter. I could hope for it. I could not hope for it. Like, it doesn’t make a difference because I’m not in control of it,” McMann said, per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
“I like it here (with Toronto) and wouldn’t necessarily want to go anywhere. I want to run with these guys, want to make a push here. Can’t really control what happens outside of that. I’ll just have to deal with it then.”
In The Athletic’s rundown of team needs around the league heading into the deadline, the Oilers are listed as looking for “a third-line forward with speed and size.” Hmm. Who do we know who fits that description?
McMann would bring the size & speed the Oilers are looking for in a middle-six forward
McMann, the sizeable forward, has used his excellent speed to make an offensive impact for Toronto again this season. An his versatility has seen him playing up and down the lineup on any of the four lines. On a team like the Oilers, a third-line role seems like a perfect fit. Who knows, he could even play himself into some ice time with Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl.
Allan Mitchell writes in The Athletic that McMann’s max skating speed is in the 99th percentile, according to NHL Edge. And with an expiring $1.35 million cap hit, even the Oilers wouldn’t have any trouble fitting him under their cap.
“That’s a value contract for a fast player who has size and can score. It’s a perfect fit for Edmonton’s needs,” says Mitchell.
Following up a breakout 20-goal campaign last year, McMann has 18 goals and 31 points in 55 games this season. He’s played a career-high 15:18 average ice time. Add in his physical play, with 122 hits, and the Wainwright, Alberta kid (about 100 miles outside of Edmonton) is getting noticed around the league.
Tuesday night, he’ll demonstrate his skills right in his own backyard.
