Maple Leafs Won’t Move Bobby McMann at the Deadline
Bobby McMann’s name has been floating around trade chatter lately, with insiders saying he could be a “nice fit” for the Edmonton Oilers. On paper, it’s easy to see why: he’s fast, competitive, cheap, and coming off a solid 20-goal season last year. Both Bob Stauffer and Elliotte Friedman have talked him up, noting he’d fit nicely in Edmonton’s top nine and could even be a rental with potential for an extension.
McMann Grew Up an Oilers Fan.
He’s from Alberta and apparently has some nostalgia for the Oilers. Back in 2024, after a big game against Edmonton, McMann admitted he had “maybe a little extra juice in the legs” playing them. So, he’d probably be thrilled to go there.
So why wouldn’t the Maple Leafs just make the trade? It’s a mix of timing, value, and what the team actually needs.
First, McMann is a pending UFA, and he doesn’t have trade protection. That makes him an easy theoretical target for a team like Edmonton looking to add depth. But the Maple Leafs know that trading him isn’t just about getting someone on the other end. The Oilers would likely have to give up a second-round pick and a prospect at a minimum. That said, they’re not just moving a roster piece for the sake of moving it, especially when McMann is providing reliable secondary scoring at a $1.35 million cap hit. He’s already at 17 goals and could easily push past 20 again. That’s cheap production you can’t easily replace.
Second, although the Maple Leafs might no longer be in the thick of a playoff push, why wouldn’t they want to keep such a productive young player? He’s only 29 years old and coming into his prime. Losing a 17-goal winger who slots into your top nine isn’t a minor inconvenience—it’s a tangible hit to depth. McMann is the kind of player who can step in and contribute night in, night out. You don’t always get that from a bottom-six call-up. He’s the kind of player a team can build around for next season.
Finally, there’s team culture. McMann is a professional, a workhorse, and a guy who seems to fit in without drama. Those intangibles matter when the playoffs are on the line. You can’t put a price on someone who makes your lineup stronger, not just on paper, but in the room and on the bench.
Why Wouldn’t the Oilers Go After McMann?
Edmonton could use him. And McMann might love it. But the Maple Leafs likely see more value in keeping him than getting a second and a prospect for him. For now, McMann stays exactly where he’s been producing—and that’s right where Toronto needs him.