As the March 6th NHL trade deadline approaches, speculation is mounting around Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann, with many suggesting he could be the team's most valuable trade asset. With the Maple Leafs currently sitting five points back of the Boston Bruins for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, the team may be considering all options. McMann's status as a pending unrestricted free agent at the season's end further fuels the trade speculation.
McMann himself addressed the rumors in a recent interview with Sportsnet's Luke Fox, stating his preference to remain in Toronto and "make a push" with the team. However, he acknowledged the limited control he has over external factors. "I can't really control what happens outside of that. I'll just have to deal with it then," McMann said. He also told Luke Fox from Sportsnet "I try to put it out of my head. As much as I can, I don't put any thought into it, because I can't control whether it happens or not. I'm trying to focus on just being good into the break here".
The 29-year-old McMann carries a modest cap hit of $1.35 million this season and has no trade restrictions, making him an attractive option for teams seeking to add depth and skill. Some reports suggest that the Maple Leafs could potentially acquire a first-round pick in exchange for McMann, given the potentially thin trade market. Others have drawn comparisons to the recent trade of Kiefer Sherwood, who fetched two second-round picks for the Vancouver Canucks.
Chris Johnston and James Mirtle of The Athletic believe McMann is the Leafs' best trade chip, assuming they don't want to trade any of their established veteran players.
One potential suitor that has emerged is the Edmonton Oilers. Jim Matheson, an Oilers reporter, indicated that the Oilers and Maple Leafs are discussing a deal that would send McMann to Edmonton in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and multiple draft picks. The Maple Leafs may want to evaluate Mangiapane to see if they are interested in him for a trade. McMann only makes $1.35 million this season, making him an affordable player to add to the Oilers lineup.
While McMann's statistics are comparable to Sherwood's, his low cap hit and potential fit on a contending team could drive up his value. From the start of the 2023-24 season, Sherwood has 46 goals and 90 points in 190 games, while McMann has 53 goals and 89 points in 185 games. Ultimately, the Maple Leafs' decision will likely depend on their assessment of their playoff chances and the offers they receive for McMann in the lead-up to the trade deadline.