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The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t have much hope in a potential Bobby McMann trade, heading into this year’s deadline.
One of the storylines heading into the Olympics is a potential Bobby McMann Trade. Since the 29-year-old is headed towards UFA status at the end of this season, the talk is to move him at the deadline.
The move makes sense on paper. He could walk away for nothing. So, the Maple Leafs should try to recoup something for him.
Unfortunately, a McMann trade offers little hope for the Maple Leafs to get anything substantial in return.
The asking price for McMann is purportedly a first-round pick, plus an additional piece. Such a return would be fantastic for an undrafted forward who managed to cash in on two solid seasons.
But then again, the comps for a McMann trade don’t look too encouraging. Just the Artemi Panarin deal alone is enough to take the wind out of anyone’s sails. Of course, McMann and Panarin are not comparable.
The closest comp is the Kiefer Sherwood trade. The Vancouver Canucks got two second-round picks from the San Jose Sharks and an AHL-level player. The chatter surrounding Sherwood had been the same. The Canucks wanted a first-round pick plus a prospect for Sherwood.
Well, they didn’t get it. If anything, the return was realistic. And that’s something that the Maple Leafs have to wrap their head around in a McMann trade.
What Could Maple Leafs Realistically Hope for in McMann Trade?
The best-case scenario would be getting something comparable to the Sherwood deal. Two second-round picks for McMann would be fantastic. The AHL-level player could be a depth move aimed for the Marlies.
However, reality would suggest the Maple Leafs might be getting something more akin to a depth player and a mid-round pick. Perhaps the Leafs could hope for a washed-up prospect another team has already given up on.
A piece like that might make a McMann trade worthwhile. The issue, nevertheless, is finding a willing trade partner. Just about every contending team is short of picks and prospects. So, even if a contending club wanted to give the Leafs a first-rounder, the deal might be tough to pull off.
Unless a team like the Colorado Avalanche, which has a first-rounder in 2027, is willing to pay that much for McMann, the Leafs don’t have much hope.
Even then, McMann wouldn’t be the most immediate choice on a deep team like Colorado, Dallas, or Carolina.
Maple Leafs Might Be Better Off Holding onto McMann
The Maple Leafs might ultimately be better off holding onto McMann. If there’s no shot at getting a decent return, why let go of a valuable piece?
The aim of a McMann trade is to make the team better. But if such a deal means short-changing the team, it’s better to figure out an extension for the crafty winger. McMann has found some chemistry on the same line with Auston Matthews. Plus, an extension shouldn’t be overly onerous for Toronto.
The bottom line is that the trade market just isn’t conducive to fleecing at this point. That might change if the Leafs are patient. Perhaps waiting until other deals go through might create a better environment for a McMann trade. Until then, the Leafs don’t have much hope in such a deal.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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