The Toronto Maple Leafs are quickly heading into seller’s territory. With their playoff hopes dwindling by the day, the club may face the inevitable reality of jettisoning whatever pieces they can in order to get something back.
One of those pieces could be forward Bobby McMann. After topping 20 goals last season, McMann is on pace to eclipse last year’s totals. His 17 goals in 52 games have made him an attractive target for contending clubs seeking depth scoring.
In particular, insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period linked the Maple Leafs winger to two Western Conference contenders, the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings. Pagnotta highlighted that, if the Leafs make McMann available, the Oilers and Kings would be the first to come calling to inquire about the 29-year-old.
Both clubs have been noticeably seeking scoring depth. In particular, the Oilers have been looking to move forward Andrew Mangiapane for some time now. This situation could give Edmonton an opportunity to move Mangiapane, while adding a reliable depth scoring piece in McMann.
Of course, such a move is purely speculation. There’s no guarantee that the Maple Leafs will become sellers, yet. But as Pagnotta pointed out, the next batch of games leading up to the Olympic break will likely determine the path Toronto will take.
If the Leafs can pull back to within striking distance of a playoff spot, the club could hold onto McMann in hopes of making a dent in the postseason. Otherwise, the impending UFA could be looking at a new home at the trade deadline.
Maple Leafs Could Recoup Draft Picks in McMann Trade
One potential angle for the Maple Leafs is recouping draft picks in a Bobby McMann trade. The Leafs might get lucky and land a couple of second-rounders like the Vancouver Canucks did in the Kiefer Sherwood deal.
However, the Leafs should temper their expectations. It’s unreasonable to suppose that Toronto could bank a first-round pick for McMann. Unless a club was suddenly decimated by injuries, it’s tough to envision a first-rounder coming back.
Another potential avenue could be getting a decent prospect in return. Pagnotta pointed out that a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning are willing to move their top prospect for immediate help. That could be an opportunity for the Maple Leafs to get something meaningful back.
Toronto Doesn’t Have Many Options this Season
Ultimately, the Maple Leafs don’t have many options this season. That’s why the club may have to settle for whatever it can get at the deadline. That is, of course, assuming the Maple Leafs will sell at the deadline.
At this point, this entire discussion is nothing more than suppositions. While there’s enough clarity to make a call on the Maple Leafs’ season, the optics of punting now would not go down very well with fans and the media. So, it seems the organization wants to delay an inevitable decision as long as possible.
The Olympics may only buy the Maple Leafs three weeks or so before facing the reality of blowing things up.
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