The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be sellers after all.
Toronto has gotten off to a slow start this season, and many expected the Maple Leafs to be sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. One of their top trade chips would be forward Bobby McMann.
However, TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger believes Toronto could extend McMann instead of trading him.
“I would expect that (Brad) Treliving would have a conversation face-to-face with Bobby McMann and get a real keen sense of what he’s thinking and what he’s feeling,” Dreger said on First Up. … “McMann is very comfortable with the Leafs. I don’t think he wants to go anywhere. I don’t. And only in the spirit of chasing a Stanley Cup.
“If the Leafs don’t have the appetite to get into the heavy lifting of the negotiation, the only reason Toronto wouldn’t is if they suddenly lose a couple of games between now and March 6 and they’re out of it. The cupboard is practically bare; if you can get a first-round pick for Bobby McMann, as management, you have to consider that.”
Dreger believes if the Maple Leafs and McMann see eye-to-eye in their meeting than an extension could happen.
McMann is in the final year of his two-year, $2.7 millon deal.
McMann a Popular Trade Chip
Although Dreger believes the Maple Leafs could extend McMann, his name has come up in trade rumors.
Ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, Sportsnet’s NHL insider Nick Kypreos added McMann’s name to his trade bait board. Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs will end up selling and McMann’s value will be too high not to sell.
“On pace for a career-best season, McMann is garnering the most interest among Maple Leafs players,” Kypreos wrote. “If the Leafs are going to attempt a retool on the fly so they can try to make the playoffs again next year, they may not be comfortable keeping McMann, who could be looking for about $5 million AAV.
“In the meantime, they could maybe get a couple pieces for him, a second-round pick plus. In many ways, he could be one of the most sought-after wingers at the deadline because he’s the easiest to fit in with a $1.35-million cap hit, something every contender could manage, from Colorado to Florida, Anaheim, Ottawa … you name it.”
McMann has 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 56 games this season. His career high is 20 goals, so the forward is well in line to surpass that.
Maple Leafs GM Will Entertain Calls
Toronto will have a short time after the Olympic break to prove it can make a run to the playoffs.
Yet, Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs will likely be sellers, and Treliving will entertain calls on multiple players.
“Leafs GM Brad Treliving will continue to entertain calls for deals involving prospects and draft picks, but there is a strong sense that Rogers, now the majority owner of the Leafs, has no appetite for making major changes that would jeopardize playoff participation for consecutive years,” Kypreos wrote.
Toronto entered the break with a record of 27-21-9 and is six points out of a playoff spot.
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