The Trade: Seattle Kraken acquired forward Bobby McMann from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027.
Initial Reaction: “Battling for a Western Conference wild-card berth, the Kraken add some size and energy to their middle-six forward lines…The 6’2″, 217-pounder isn’t a scoring star that the Kraken need, but he will help offensively, and his hardworking style will be useful in their quest to reach the postseason.”
“The Maple Leafs were reportedly seeking a first-round pick for McMann. That was wishful thinking, but a second-rounder in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2026 isn’t a bad return for a player of his caliber.”
Grades: Kraken: B+, Maple Leafs: B
The Aftermath: The Kraken’s playoff hopes are fading, but McMann has given them hope for the future. He’s been outstanding for his new club, tallying eight goals and 12 points in 11 games for Seattle. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on March 28 that they are interested in re-signing him.
The Leafs could get some value out of this trade if one of those draft picks turns into a decent NHL player, or if they can use one or both picks as trade bait to acquire a quality player. Otherwise, this return could look worse for them if McMann goes on to bigger things in Seattle or with another team.
Current Grades: Kraken: A, Maple Leafs: B-