The next shoe has dropped for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In a somewhat surprising move, pending unrestricted free agent Bobby McMann is being assigned to the Seattle Kraken.
In return, the Leafs don't get the first-rounder they were hoping for, instead they get a second-rounder in 2027 and a fourth-rounder in 2026.
Extension talks with McMann had been ongoing for several weeks, but the Leafs did not want to go where the player's camp wanted. This week's recent extension for Kiefer Sherwood in San Jose may have put a major rift in McMann talks, as the Sharks agreed to a five-year, $5.75 million deal. It was said that Toronto had backed out on the request for 5x$5M, so anything in response was definitely not going to work.
Could the Leafs reunite with McMann as a UFA this summer?
Would the Leafs be able to revisit a possible reunion with McMann on July 1? It depends on how high his demand is at that time. With UFA again working on extensions with their teams pending over the past few months, it seems likely that McMann will be able to command quite a bit on the open market. Sitting at a $1.35M cap hit on his current expiring deal, this is a big chance for a nice payday for the 29-year-old, and you can't blame him for pushing for it.
The late-bloomer has scored 19 goals this season, and should be able to break his career-high of 20 set last season. He has a total of 32 points in 60 games.
The Leafs held him out of the last two games to protect him before the deal.
The big-bodied 6’2″ winger brings speed as well as physicality to the Kraken’s forward group. He has given 135 hits this season and will surpass his previous high of 134 from last year.
And did we mention its wheels?
McMann brings much-needed goalscoring to the Kraken
The Kraken rank 24th in the NHL in goals per game, and their offense has been in desperate need of some extra goal scoring over the last few years. McMann will definitely help.
