Bobby McMann Emerging as a Smart Deadline Fit for the Oilers
With the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze approaching, trade chatter is starting to simmer - and the Edmonton Oilers might have a new name on their radar. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann is drawing interest, and for good reason. He’s not a headline-stealer, but he checks a lot of boxes for a team like Edmonton looking to solidify its depth heading into the stretch run.
McMann’s name came up during a recent conversation between Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, and both were on the same page: this guy could be a sneaky-good fit in Edmonton.
“I love McMann,” Stauffer said, pointing out the Alberta native could be energized by the chance to play closer to home. Friedman echoed the sentiment, calling McMann a “fast, competitive guy” who “would look good on your roster.” Coming from two plugged-in voices, that’s not just idle praise - it’s a signal that McMann might be more than just a name floating around the rumor mill.
Why McMann Makes Sense for Edmonton
Let’s be clear: McMann isn’t going to headline a trade deadline special on national TV. But he is the kind of player who can quietly tilt the ice in your favor when the games matter most.
At 29, he’s having a quietly productive season with 17 goals and has shown he can chip in offensively when given the opportunity. And with a cap hit of just $1.35 million, he’s exactly the kind of low-cost, high-upside addition a contender like Edmonton should be targeting.
The Oilers’ top-end talent is undeniable - they’ve got stars who can take over games. But depth scoring has been a recurring issue, and that’s where someone like McMann could make a real impact. He’s not just a body to fill out the bottom six; he’s a player who can slide into a middle-six role and contribute meaningfully.
Of course, that kind of production at that price point doesn’t come cheap. Stauffer speculated that it could take a second-round pick and a prospect to get Toronto to bite. That’s not an insignificant price, but for a “top-nine guy all day” - as Stauffer put it - on a bargain deal, it’s the kind of move that could pay off big in the playoffs.
What’s Toronto’s Play Here?
McMann is a pending UFA with no trade protection, which makes him a classic rental candidate. And while he’s the type of player Toronto might consider re-signing, the possibility of him testing the market - especially if he hits a new career high in goals - makes a trade worth exploring.
There’s also a bit of a personal twist here. After a strong showing against the Oilers back in March 2024, McMann admitted he grew up an Edmonton fan.
“Maybe a little extra juice in the legs today playing against the Oilers,” he said at the time. That kind of connection doesn’t drive a deal, but it doesn’t hurt either.
Players tend to elevate when they feel that sense of fit, and McMann might find that in Edmonton.
What Could a Trade Look Like?
There’s no clear-cut framework yet, but the pieces are starting to align. One possibility floated involves Andrew Mangiapane heading to Toronto - a move that would give the Leafs a proven NHL forward while Edmonton adds a more affordable depth piece in McMann. To make it work, the Oilers would likely need to add a sweetener, maybe in the form of a second-round pick and a prospect.
If Mangiapane isn’t the right fit for Toronto, another option could involve defenseman Ty Emberson, along with the second and a prospect. That kind of package gives the Leafs some flexibility - a blueliner they could use, plus future assets - while keeping the Oilers’ core intact.
Final Thoughts
McMann isn’t the flashiest name on the trade board, but he’s the type of player who often ends up being a difference-maker in the postseason. He brings speed, grit, and a scoring touch - exactly what Edmonton needs to round out its forward group. The fact that both Friedman and Stauffer are high on him, and that he fits the Oilers’ cap situation, makes this a storyline worth watching closely.
If Edmonton wants to make a serious run this spring, adding a player like McMann could be a subtle but savvy move. And if Toronto decides to cash in on his value before he hits free agency, it just might be a win-win for both sides.