As the Edmonton Oilers get set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Place on Tuesday night, there’s more than just two points on the line. With the Olympic break looming and the NHL trade deadline creeping closer, this matchup could double as a live-action scouting session for two front offices that might be on a collision course.
The Oilers and Leafs won’t see each other again this season, but that doesn’t mean their paths won’t cross in the coming weeks. Edmonton is actively working the phones in search of a top-nine forward and possibly a defenseman who can shore up their blue line depth. Toronto, on the other hand, is reportedly open for business-and they might have exactly what Edmonton needs.
Bobby McMann: A Fit for Edmonton’s Forward Group
One name that keeps surfacing is Bobby McMann. The pending UFA has drawn serious interest from the Oilers, and it’s not hard to see why.
McMann brings a north-south, power-forward style that could inject some much-needed punch into Edmonton’s middle-six. He’s got size, he can skate, and he finishes plays-three things the Oilers could use more of as they gear up for a playoff push.
The Wainwright, Alberta native would represent a homegrown addition, but he won’t come cheap. A second-round pick might be the starting point in negotiations, and Toronto could ask for more. Still, if Edmonton believes McMann can help them win now, that price may be worth paying.
Blue Line Buzz: Carlo, McCabe, and Ekman-Larsson
While McMann is the headliner, the chatter doesn’t stop there. Edmonton’s hunt for a reliable defenseman has brought a few more names into the mix-Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have all been loosely connected to the Oilers.
Carlo’s situation is a bit murkier. There are mixed signals on whether Edmonton is seriously interested, especially given his struggles in a Maple Leafs sweater.
But McCabe and Ekman-Larsson are different stories. Both bring veteran experience and could fit the mold of what Edmonton is looking for-someone in the Mattias Ekholm category: steady, smart, and playoff-tested.
If Toronto were to package one of those defensemen with McMann, the price tag would climb. And that’s where things get interesting.
Could a Bigger Deal Be in the Works?
To make a multi-player trade work financially, names like Andrew Mangiapane could come into play. The $3.6 million cap hit would help balance the books, and there’s a history between Mangiapane and Leafs GM Brad Treliving from their Calgary days. That reunion could make sense, but it would require some serious maneuvering from both sides.
While a blockbuster deal involving multiple players and moving parts might be a stretch, the smoke around McMann suggests there’s at least a small fire burning. If the Oilers and Leafs do strike a deal, Tuesday night’s game could feature more than just future trade targets-it could include players who’ll soon be swapping jerseys.
With the deadline set for March 6, the clock is ticking. And if this game is any indication, we might be looking at more than just a one-off matchup-it could be the prelude to something much bigger.