If the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to shake things up before the deadline, Bobby McMann is suddenly one of the most interesting names on their roster. A year ago, he was a depth forward fighting for minutes; now he’s a power forward with a finishing touch, a cheap cap hit, and a style teams love in the playoffs.
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According to Elliotte Friedman, there’s real demand building. This all raises the big question: What could the Maple Leafs realistically get if they put McMann on the market?
Maple Leafs’ Most Valuable Realistic Trade Chip
If the Maple Leafs don’t think they will re-sign him, Friedman believes McMann becomes their most valuable movable piece. That’s not because he’s a superstar, but because he’s exactly the kind of player contenders try to add in February.
Why? Because he’s physical. He forechecks hard, and he can score. And, perhaps most of all, he’s not expensive. As Friedman sees it, those kinds of players get attention quickly.
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In a weak seller’s market, that combination is gold. Friedman suggested that, at a minimum, McMann probably lands in the “two seconds” range. That is already a strong return for a player who wasn’t even guaranteed a roster spot out of camp. And depending on how the market unfolds, the price could creep higher.
Why McMann’s Value Could Spike
It all comes down to supply and demand. There aren’t many middle-six power wingers available this year, and the teams that need them the most are the actual Stanley Cup contenders, who have already traded away a bunch of their draft picks.
That matters because contenders don’t have first-rounders left to spend, and because they still need impact forwards, they end up paying a premium for anyone who fills that role. If you’re a playoff team with real aspirations, and you know you can’t shop in the “first-round pick” tier, you’re looking at the next layer down. That’s the sweet spot where McMann fits.
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McMann is not going to pull a first-rounder on his own. But he could absolutely land something just a step below that. And the fewer options available, the more his value rises.
The Extension Question Could Become a Big Deal for McMann
There’s also the extension factor, which Friedman mentioned when comparing McMann to previous trade cases. Look at what happened with Tyler Bertuzzi and the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins: not everyone was willing to pay the extra price required to do the extension as part of the deal.
It’s the same with McMann. Some teams may want him as a rental. Others might want him locked in. And others may love the player but not want to commit to the term he wants. Every one of those factors shapes the final price.
If he’s willing to sign at a reasonable number, his value jumps. If he wants a longer-term contract or a bigger raise, some teams may back off. It’s not about whether he’s worth it; it’s about what fits on their books.
How High Could the Return for McMann Actually Go?
Realistically, according to Friedman, here’s the range: The floor is a second-round pick. The middle is two seconds or a second and a prospect. The ceiling is a late first in a bigger package, especially if a contender gets desperate or strikes out elsewhere.
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The Maple Leafs might not get the ceiling, but the middle range is absolutely in play. In a market this tight, with contenders short on picks and looking for size, scoring, and cost control, McMann checks too many boxes to fly under the radar.
So Should the Maple Leafs Move Him?
Whether the Maple Leafs should move him is the harder question. McMann fits head coach Craig Berube’s style, brings value beyond his boxcar stats, and is one of the few Maple Leafs forwards who consistently plays a heavy game. Trading him helps the future but hurts the present.
But if Toronto decides to turn one eye toward tomorrow, McMann is exactly the type of player who could bring the kind of return they don’t have on the roster. That’s why he stands out as their best trade chip right now.
