Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann has been all the rage in trade rumours recently, and has now been connected to four different teams including one interesting rival.
NHL teams are currently enjoying a nice little respite due to the Olympic break, and while there’s certainly a good bit of time for players to relax, recover and make sure they are at full health; the work doesn’t stop for the front office staff.
Although winners of three straight, they are still expected to be sellers with some of their assets being able to fetch quite the haul if teams are desperate enough.
Bobby McMann a very popular trade target: Kypreos
The name who has been getting the most attention has been no doubt Bobby McMann, as the forward has been heavily linked to a deal with the Edmonton Oilers and it was anticipated that a deal may be done before the roster freeze.
That didn’t happen, but now some new teams have been thrown into the mix including one divisional rival that isn’t too far from home.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos explained that in addition to the Edmonton Oilers, you can now include the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and the Ottawa Senators:
It’s not too surprising to see teams like Colorado, Anaheim or even Florida getting into the mix (the latter always seems to have a trade or two in their pocket).
Toronto shouldn’t trade with Ottawa unless they can squeeze them dry
But the Senators propose an interesting little caveat. Currently, they sit tied with the Maple Leafs and although we’ve heard Toronto wants to sell, it’s been reported that Steve Staios and Ottawa want to buy and get better up front.
Adding a 20-goal scorer with blistering speed in McMann would certainly help, however if the Maple Leafs have aspirations of making the playoffs; they may be best sending him elsewhere.
Toronto plays the Senators three more times this season, and if things are neck and neck all the way through, it could be McMann who ends up being the deciding factor in things.
The Maple Leafs are a slow team, that much is certain. So giving up your fastest skater, to a divisional rival that can already out-skate you is not good business. Unless the team can get a first-round pick out of it, though Ottawa doesn’t hold this year’s selection — so is it even worth it?
The only thing that could make it a little more intriguing is if Ottawa offered their 2026 second-round pick, and all three of their third-round picks. If Staios is really focused on winning, why not try to twist his arm into a higher package?
If Brad Treliving can somehow find a deal for McMann that involves him getting more than just a pick or two back, especially for a team who won’t have the worst draft picks (all three will be fairly early picks).
It feels like an inevitability that Bobby McMann is going to be traded, the only question is where. If Toronto were smart, they may want to avoid trading within the division especially if they have hopes of making it out with a playoff spot.
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Bobby McMann linked to four teams, including a Leafs division rival
Do you think Toronto is going to trade Bobby McMann this season or will they try to extend him?