Bobby McMann Showcases Trade Value in Toronto’s Win Over Edmonton - And the Oilers Should Be Paying Attention
Tuesday night in Edmonton had the feel of more than just another regular season game - especially for Bobby McMann. In a 5-2 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs, McMann didn’t just play well; he made a statement. With a relentless motor, noticeable speed, and a late empty-net goal to cap off the victory, McMann looked every bit like a player auditioning for a new role - possibly with the very team he was skating against.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a fluke performance. McMann was everywhere.
He led the Leafs with five shots on goal, consistently won puck battles, and created chances for his linemates with the kind of effort coaches love and teammates feed off of. He hunted the puck with purpose, never cheating for offense, and showed the kind of north-south game that’s tailor-made for playoff hockey.
And yes, the Oilers had a front-row seat.
A Trade Chip Rising in Value
With the Olympic break freeze looming and the March 6 trade deadline not far behind, Toronto is expected to be active - and McMann’s name is front and center in those conversations. His teammates know it.
The front office knows it. And based on Tuesday’s game, the Oilers know it too.
“(McMann) has been flying, creating scoring chances from nothing,” William Nylander said after the game. “It will be interesting to see what the (Leafs) decide to do. He’s in trade rumours because he would be a high-value add for a team.”
That’s not just teammate-speak. It’s reality.
McMann has the kind of game that fits snugly into a contending team’s middle-six - or even higher in the lineup if needed. He’s physical without taking himself out of position, he drives play with speed and tenacity, and he’s shown he can finish when the opportunity is there.
In short, he’s the type of player playoff teams covet.
Edmonton’s Bottom-Six Needs a Jolt
While the Oilers are riding high in the standings, Tuesday’s game also highlighted a lingering concern: their bottom six. Edmonton was tied 2-2 with Toronto until a pair of penalties gave the Leafs a 5-on-3 - and they cashed in. Game over.
Meanwhile, Andrew Mangiapane, who was expected to bring scoring depth to the Oilers’ middle six, was benched in the second period after a costly turnover. That’s not the kind of consistency you want heading into the postseason. And that’s exactly where a player like McMann could make a difference.
He’s not just a plug-and-play fourth-liner. McMann’s versatility allows him to move up and down the lineup, and his style of play would complement Edmonton’s high-skill top six while giving the bottom six a much-needed injection of energy and reliability.
Think Zach Hyman - another former Leaf who’s found a home in Edmonton with his relentless work ethic and knack for making things happen. McMann, while not quite the same caliber yet, brings a similar toolkit.
Add in the fact that he’s carrying a very manageable $1.35 million cap hit and hails from Alberta? That’s a potential fit that makes a lot of sense.
What It Could Cost
Toronto’s front office has a clear deadline agenda: replenish a thin prospect pool and stockpile future assets. That means McMann, as a cost-controlled, NHL-ready forward, could fetch a meaningful return. The Oilers have the kind of draft capital that could get a deal done - second-round picks in each of the next three years and first-rounders from 2027 onward.
If the Leafs are willing to retain a bit of salary and spark a bidding war, a first-round pick for McMann isn’t out of the question. That might sound steep, but for a team like Edmonton - with eyes on a deep playoff run and a window that won’t stay open forever - paying a premium for a player who helps now and potentially beyond this season could be worth the price.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday night didn’t just showcase Bobby McMann’s skill set - it underlined his value in a real-time, high-stakes environment. He looked like a player ready for a bigger role, and the Oilers looked like a team that could use exactly what he brings.
The trade deadline is creeping closer, and if Edmonton’s front office was watching closely - and they surely were - they saw a player who fits their needs to a tee. Whether or not a deal gets done, McMann has officially put himself on the radar.
And if he ends up wearing Oilers blue and orange in the coming weeks? Tuesday might be remembered as the night the match was made.