The NHL trade rumor mill never really sleeps, but sometimes it spins a little too fast for its own good. This week, speculation linking the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers in a potential blockbuster deal was quickly shut down - and not by a front office executive or an insider leak, but with a single word from a familiar voice in Leafs Nation.
The chatter started when a fan on social media suggested that Edmonton had reached out to Toronto about a deal involving Nicolas Roy, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Bobby McMann. The idea of a multi-player swap between two Canadian contenders was enough to get fans buzzing. But Leafs media personality Nick Alberga stepped in quickly to douse the flames, replying with a simple but definitive: “Nope.”
That one-word denial was enough to halt the rumor in its tracks - at least for now. And when you look at the contract situations for the players involved, it becomes clear why this particular trade scenario doesn’t hold much weight.
All three players mentioned - Roy, Ekman-Larsson, and McMann - are currently under contract with the Maple Leafs. Ekman-Larsson, who signed a four-year, $14 million deal in July 2024, carries a $3.5 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season.
Roy, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025, is on a five-year, $15 million deal with a $3 million annual cap hit through 2026-27. And McMann is on a two-year, $2.7 million contract that runs through the 2025-26 season with a $1.35 million cap hit.
In other words, these aren’t rental players on expiring deals or fringe pieces. These are players Toronto has committed to, both financially and strategically.
Still, Bobby McMann’s name continues to pop up in trade rumors, and earlier this week, he addressed the speculation head-on. With no trade protection in his deal, McMann understands the reality of his situation. He may not be looking to leave Toronto, but he also knows the business side of hockey doesn’t always align with a player’s personal preference.
“Doesn’t matter. I could hope for it.
I could not hope for it. Like, it doesn’t make a difference because I’m not in control of it,” McMann said in a candid interview.
That kind of honesty is refreshing - and telling. McMann isn’t pretending he’s immune to the trade market, but he’s also not letting it distract him from the task at hand. His focus remains on the Maple Leafs and the push ahead.
“I like it here (with Toronto). I wouldn’t necessarily want to go anywhere.
I want to run with these guys. I want to make a push here,” he added.
“I can’t really control what happens outside of that. I’ll just have to deal with it then.”
For McMann, it’s about blocking out the noise and locking in on the ice. He knows that in today’s NHL, anyone can be moved if the right deal comes along. But he’s not letting that uncertainty shake his confidence or his commitment to the team.
“I try to put it out of my head. As much as I can, I don’t put any thought into it, because I can't control whether it happens or not. I’m trying to focus on just being good into the break here.”
That mindset is exactly what the Leafs need as they eye a playoff run. McMann believes in the group, and he’s not shy about saying so. He sees the potential in the locker room and knows that, despite the ups and downs of the season, Toronto still has a shot at doing something special.
With the trade deadline approaching and the pressure ratcheting up, the Leafs will need players like McMann - guys who are all-in, even when their names pop up in rumors. For now, the talk of a Leafs-Oilers blockbuster has been put to bed. But in a league where things can change overnight, staying ready is the name of the game.