Is Bobby McMann the Maple Leafs' Most Underrated Weapon?
If you’ve been following the Toronto Maple Leafs lately, you might be missing one of the quietest stories of the season: Bobby McMann. He’s not a household name like Auston Matthews or William Nylander, but the guy is quietly carving out a serious reputation—and there are three reasons why he’s become such a strong player.
Reason 1: McMann is clutch when it counts.
McMann has a knack for showing up in the moments that matter. Over the last 11 games, he’s picked up nine points—five goals, four assists—with eight of them at even strength. He’s tied with Matthews for team lead in game-winning goals with three, and he shares the Maple Leafs’ lead in go-ahead goals with Nylander and John Tavares at six. That’s not luck; that’s timing, poise, and a nose for the net. The guy scores when the game is on the line, and for a team chasing wins in a tight Atlantic Division, that scoring touch is worth its weight in gold.
Reason 2: McMann is fast, powerful, and dangerous in every zone.
EDGE stats don’t lie: McMann is third in the NHL in max skating speed at 24.25 mph. He also ranks in the 85th percentile among forwards in hardest shot and high-danger goals. That combination of speed and firepower makes him a constant threat. When he’s heading toward the net, defenders have to pick their poison: stick on him, and he might rip a wicked shot; give him space, and he’s flying past you to get a perfect scoring angle. And on top of that, he’s making good use of the power play, slotting in with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on PP2—Ekman-Larsson leads the Maple Leafs defensemen in goals this season, and McMann is right there making chemistry happen.
Reason 3. McMann is thriving on home ice.
There’s something about McMann and the friendly confines of Scotiabank Arena. Eight of his 13 goals this season have come at home. Compare that to last year, when he scored eight goals over 37 home games. That’s a big leap—and it’s not just comfort; it’s confidence. He knows the ice, knows the crowd, and he’s using that to make every shift count.
The Bottom Line for McMann
Put it all together—clutch scoring, blazing speed, hard shot, and home ice confidence—and McMann is becoming a Maple Leafs weapon that no team wants to sleep on. Watch him closely: sometimes the story isn’t in the headlines, it’s the guy quietly taking the team to the next level.