As the NHL Trade Deadline inches closer - March 6 is circled on every front office calendar - Bobby McMann’s name keeps surfacing in the rumor mill. And for good reason. The 29-year-old winger has quietly become one of the more intriguing trade chips on the board, especially for contenders looking to bolster their middle six without blowing up the budget.
McMann’s having a breakout season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Through 56 games, he’s tallied 19 goals and 13 assists - 32 points that haven’t just padded his stat line, but have made a real impact in Toronto’s forward depth.
And here’s the kicker: he’s carrying a cap hit of just $1.35 million. That’s bargain-bin pricing for a player producing at this level, and it’s why playoff-bound teams are circling.
One of those teams? The Colorado Avalanche. While the Edmonton Oilers have been mentioned in the mix, Colorado’s interest could be heating up at just the right time.
Why McMann Makes Sense for Colorado
The Avalanche aren’t exactly hurting in the star power department. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are doing what they do - dominating. And with Colorado sitting atop the Central Division at 37-9-9 heading into the Olympic break, they’re firmly in Cup-chasing mode.
But what they could use is depth. Specifically, a middle-six winger who can skate, shoot, and bring some physicality when the ice gets tighter in April and May.
That’s McMann in a nutshell. He’s got the speed to keep up with Colorado’s transition game and a heavy shot that makes him a threat beyond the top line.
He doesn’t need to be the guy - he just needs to be a guy. And on a team like Colorado, that can make all the difference.
The Price Tag: Steep, But Not Unreasonable
Toronto knows what they have in McMann. Whether they’re fully committing to selling or just looking to retool, they’re reportedly asking for a first-round pick in return.
That’s a high bar, especially for a pending UFA. But the market might settle somewhere lower - think two second-round picks, similar to what Vancouver got for Kiefer Sherwood.
Here’s where it gets tricky for the Avs. They’ve already dealt away their first-, second-, and third-round picks in 2026, so if they want to play ball, they’ll likely have to dip into their 2027 draft capital.
That’s not ideal, but it’s not a dealbreaker either. If Colorado’s front office believes McMann can be a difference-maker in a deep playoff run, they’ll find a way to make the math work.
A creative package - maybe a couple of second-rounders, a mid-tier prospect, or a multi-pick combo - could be enough to get Toronto’s attention. Especially if the Leafs are willing to retain some salary to open up more flexibility for Colorado to make additional moves.
A Trade That Could Work for Both Sides
For Colorado, this is about rounding out a roster that’s already built to win. McMann adds scoring punch, playoff-ready grit, and cap-friendly value - the kind of player who can swing a series when the stars cancel each other out.
For Toronto, it’s about asset management. If they’re not planning to re-sign McMann - and letting him walk for nothing in July is a tough pill to swallow - flipping him now for futures makes sense. Especially if they can stockpile picks or prospects in a deal that doesn’t hurt their current roster too much.
So, could the Avalanche come out of nowhere and land McMann? Don’t rule it out.
He checks a lot of boxes for a team that’s already in win-now mode. And if Toronto is truly open for business, this might be one of those deadline deals that makes both sides better - one for today, one for tomorrow.