Bobby McMann’s Breakout Season Could Make Him a Valuable Trade Chip for the Maple Leafs
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Bobby McMann to a two-year extension after the 2023-24 season, it looked like a smart, low-risk move. He’d just put up 15 goals in 56 games, showing flashes of a player who might still have another gear.
Fast forward to today, and McMann has already surpassed that total-netting 17 goals in just 53 games. He’s having the kind of breakout year that turns heads, and not just in Toronto.
What was once viewed as a budget-friendly depth signing has quickly become one of the more intriguing trade chips on the Leafs’ roster. With Toronto sitting ten points out of a playoff spot and the trade deadline looming, the front office faces a tough question: stay the course and hope for a late-season surge, or start selling off assets and planning for the future?
If they choose the latter, McMann could be one of the first names on the move.
A Fit in Edmonton?
According to recent reports, the Edmonton Oilers are showing serious interest in McMann-and on paper, it makes a lot of sense. He’s a speedy winger with a nose for the net, and he comes with a cap-friendly $1.35 million salary. That’s exactly the kind of player a contender like Edmonton would love to plug in alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl without disrupting the salary structure.
There’s also the local angle. McMann hails from Wainwright, Alberta-just a couple hours outside of Edmonton. While that’s not a deciding factor, it doesn’t hurt when a player has ties to the area, especially if the Oilers are looking for someone who could potentially stick around beyond this season.
What Could a Trade Look Like?
If the Maple Leafs decide to move McMann, there’s a recent trade that offers a pretty clean comparison: the Vancouver Canucks’ deal that sent Kiefer Sherwood to San Jose. Sherwood, 30, has the same number of goals as McMann this season, though he’s done it in fewer games and with fewer assists. He’s also on an expiring contract and carries a slightly higher cap hit at $1.5 million.
In return, the Canucks landed two second-round picks and AHL defenseman Cole Clayton. Sherwood brings a bit more physical edge, but McMann has the edge in speed and isn’t afraid to battle in the dirty areas, even if he doesn’t rack up big hit totals. If Toronto puts McMann on the market, they’ll likely use that Sherwood deal as a baseline.
The Cap Dump Route
There’s another angle the Leafs could explore-one that’s less about maximizing return for McMann and more about leveraging their cap space to add future assets.
The Oilers are reportedly shopping Andrew Mangiapane, who’s struggled this season with just six goals and 12 points in 47 games. He’s under contract for another year after this one at $3.6 million annually, and that number is tough to stomach for a player producing at a fourth-line clip.
But Mangiapane isn’t a lost cause. He scored 35 goals in 2021-22 and followed that up with back-to-back 14-goal campaigns.
The offensive upside is still there-just buried under a tough season. If the Leafs were willing to take on that contract, they could potentially pry away a first-round pick in the deal.
Toronto doesn’t have a first-rounder until 2028, thanks to last year’s Brandon Carlo trade that sent their 2026 pick to Boston. So if the Leafs are leaning toward a retool or rebuild, this might be their best shot at recouping some high-end draft capital.
Two Potential Trade Scenarios
Let’s break down two mock trades that reflect both possible approaches:
Scenario 1: Straight Value Deal (No Cap Dump)
Edmonton acquires:
- F Bobby McMann (1 year, $1.35M)
Toronto acquires:
- 2026 second-round pick
- 2027 second-round pick
- D Beau Akey (prospect)
This route gives the Leafs a solid return for a breakout winger on an expiring deal. Two second-rounders and a defensive prospect like Akey would help restock the cupboard without taking on any long-term salary.
Scenario 2: Cap Relief + Premium Pick
Edmonton acquires:
- F Bobby McMann (1 year, $1.35M)
Toronto acquires:
- F Andrew Mangiapane (2 years, $3.6M AAV)
- 2027 first-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
This version sees Toronto taking on a struggling but still talented winger in Mangiapane, along with a first-rounder and a second-rounder. It’s a bigger swing, but one that could pay off if Mangiapane rebounds-or if the Leafs decide to flip him again down the line.
What’s Next?
For the Maple Leafs, the next few weeks will be telling. If the playoff picture doesn’t improve, it’s hard to justify hanging onto McMann when his value is peaking. Whether it’s a straight-up deal for picks and prospects or a more creative move involving salary retention, Toronto has options.
And for McMann, this season has been a statement. He’s proven he belongs in the NHL-and that he can contribute in a meaningful way.
Whether that continues in Toronto or somewhere else remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Bobby McMann has earned himself a place in the trade deadline conversation.