Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The NHL Player Safety Department has suspended Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann for his high-stick on Tampa Bay forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
It was a feisty affair between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night, with several penalties, a fight, and two match penalties to Gage Goncalves; for his hit on Dakota Mermis, and Bobby McMann for his high-stick in a scrum with Oliver Bjorkstrand.
One-game ban for Bobby McMann
McMann was issued a one-game suspension by the NHL for his actions against Bjorkstrand.
This means that McMann will be ineligible to play in Toronto’s game on Thursday against San Jose.
There has been no official announcement from the Maple Leafs regarding the situation, and it is not yet known who the team will replace him with on Thursday.
It’s a shame considering how good McMann has been as part of the team’s third line with Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua who have emerged as a true checking and energy line for the team; and bringing the offense too.
This season, McMann has 14 points in 29 games (8 goals, 6 assists) while also adding 67 hits, 13 blocks, and 30 PIM. He has six points over his last five games as well, finally looking like he’d found his stride.
How this changes Toronto’s lineup for Thursday
With McMann slated to miss Thursday’s game, the team has a couple of options they can choose from. Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch on Monday and could find himself back in to help add some speed and offense in McMann’s place.
They could also decide to bring in Matias Maccelli, who has sat for the last five games and hasn’t played since Nov. 28. He hasn’t really fit in however, and Craig Berube may feel like he has better options available.
Robertson is a steadier option and he would at least be afforded a bit more playing time on the third line, but Maccelli also needs one more chance to show what he can do before the team decides to cut him loose.
A game against San Jose would be a great test for him, and if he ends up faltering again; it’s much easier for Toronto if they decide to move on.
Granted this is purely speculation based on the roster, and Craig Berube has been known to make last-second changes, including after warm-ups. We’ll get a better idea of the lineup come Wednesday, and maybe even some better news to follow.
But all we know is that McMann is going to be in the press box, and perhaps thinking twice about being careless with his stick.
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NHL Player Safety officially suspends Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann
Does Bobby McMann deserve his one-game suspension?