The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to be sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. After a string of nine consecutive playoff appearances, Toronto is currently at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings. The situation is more difficult than the team just having a down year. Toronto execs need to make some serious changes to the roster.
At the moment, The Athletic has named five Maple Leafs players in their latest trade board. Of the quintet, Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann are perhaps the most likely players set to leave Toronto. Laughton was acquired only a year ago in a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. After previously reaching 43 points with his former club, the center has managed to grab just 12 points in 42 games this season.
McMann, on the other hand, has played his entire professional career with the Leafs. He has also performed well so far this season, racking up 32 points in 59 games. Both players are set to become unrestricted free agents in the summer, making upcoming trades more likely.
While they could soon move out of Toronto, both players hinted on March 2 that they would prefer to remain with the club. “Obviously, I’ve loved it here, have loved my time. That’s all I really can control,” Laughton told Sportsnet. “I don’t get in the conversations too much. I’m a Leaf, and that’s where I wanna be, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Toronto Maple Leafs Set High Asking Price for Bobby McMann
GettyBobby McMann is a very popular trade target this season.
McMann seemed to echo his soon-to-be former teammate’s thoughts on the tough situation.”That’s hard to put into words,” the forward said after being asked about a potential trade. “I’m not really necessarily trying to speculate on officially leaving, either.”
“Like, I think I just wanna battle here, and it’s been fun my whole career. Working my way into the NHL here, giving me the opportunity, I wanna make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward, no matter the situation.”
McMann’s future will specifically be a focus for the Leafs in the coming days. Due to his stellar play and modest $1.35 million AAV salary, the forward is a wanted player around the league. Because of this, Toronto wants at least a first-round draft pick for the budding star. This is a package Laughton quite possibly will not fetch the Leafs in an upcoming deal.
Maple Leafs, Center Cannot Agree to New Contract
Toronto has likely come to terms with losing Laughton ahead of the trade deadline. They, however, would prefer to sign McMann to a new contract extension. Although the forward would also like to remain with the club, the two sides have not been able to agree on a salary. TSN’s Darren Dreger recently reported that the Leafs would not be willing to match McMann’s ask of $5 million per year.
There has been some talk about McMann potentially leaving Toronto in the coming days and then returning with the Leafs in the summer. This scenario would only become feasible if the forward cannot get the $5 million annual salary with another NHL team. It remains to be seen if the center will be viewed as a pure rental in the market.
Maple Leafs Duo Opens Up About Unwanted Trade Links