Maple Leafs Testing the Trade Waters with Bobby McMann and Anthony Stolarz
The Toronto Maple Leafs are doing what smart teams do this time of year-taking stock of their roster and exploring what kind of value their depth players might hold on the trade market. And according to Elliotte Friedman, two names worth watching are Bobby McMann and Anthony Stolarz.
Neither is a household name, but both are quietly making their presence felt-and Toronto’s front office knows it.
Bobby McMann: A First-Round Price Tag?
Let’s start with McMann. The Leafs are reportedly asking for a first-round pick in return if a team wants to pry him away. That might raise some eyebrows at first glance-McMann isn’t a top-line scorer or a marquee name-but the ask says a lot about how Toronto views him internally.
He’s not just a guy who chips in here and there. He’s been scoring timely goals, and more importantly, doing the kind of work that doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet: battling in the corners, driving the net, backchecking hard.
He’s big, he’s fast, and he plays with purpose. That’s the kind of player who can make a real difference in a playoff series-especially in a bottom-six role.
McMann’s recent performance only strengthens Toronto’s position. He scored again last night, and it wasn’t a fluke.
He’s finding ways to contribute consistently, and that’s exactly the kind of form that gets other GMs interested. The Leafs know what they have here, and they’re not about to sell low.
Is a first-rounder a steep price? Sure. But it’s also a message: if you want this guy, you’re going to have to pay for him.
Anthony Stolarz: Steady, Reliable-and Maybe Available?
Then there’s Anthony Stolarz. The veteran goaltender has been solid-calm in net, composed under pressure, and delivering the kind of saves that settle a team down in tense moments.
His recent outing against Edmonton was a prime example. He didn’t just stop pucks; he kept the Leafs grounded when the Oilers were pushing hard.
But here’s where things get interesting: Stolarz just signed an extension a couple of months ago. So why would Toronto consider moving him?
Durability might be part of the equation, but so is the ever-changing nature of the NHL. Circumstances evolve quickly.
A player’s health, form, or market value can shift in a matter of weeks. And in the Leafs’ case, Dennis Hildeby has started to emerge as a legitimate option in goal.
That kind of internal development can open up new possibilities.
Stolarz isn’t being shopped aggressively, but his name is out there. And if a team comes calling, Toronto’s not going to hang up the phone.
The Bigger Picture: Leafs Playing the Long Game
What all of this tells us is that the Maple Leafs are doing their homework. They’re gauging the market, seeing who’s interested, and setting their price. McMann and Stolarz aren’t core stars, but they’re the kind of players who can swing a playoff game-or quietly tilt the depth balance in a seven-game series.
This is the kind of strategic thinking that separates contenders from pretenders. It’s not about making a splash just to make one. It’s about knowing the value of your assets and being ready when the right deal comes along.
McMann keeps scoring. Stolarz keeps delivering. And the Leafs’ front office keeps listening.
As Friedman put it, if you know what you’ve got, there’s no harm in asking for a first-rounder.