Bobby McMann sends a clear social media clue to Leafs fans about a summer return to Toronto
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto organization reportedly left a
firm door open for a Bobby McMann reunion the moment they traded him to Seattle.
While fans are obsessing over his "un-scrubbed" Instagram profile, the real story is a 2026 UFA market where the Maple Leafs are desperate for the exact
"heavy" scoring McMann is currently providing for the Kraken.
"heavy" scoring McMann is currently providing for the Kraken.
Many Toronto Maple Leafs fans miss Bobby McMann, even more so with his four goals and six points in three games twisting the knife in the hearts of Leafs fans.
The Leafs failing to get a first round pick for Bobby McMann stunned many in the hockey world, including many Leafs fans who wondered why Toronto got so little for the 29-year-old who was on pace for a second consecutive 20-goal season.
Well, one reason Leafs fans think that might be, is that McMann is going to return to Toronto, and his social media a clue.
One trending post on X, formerly Twitter, noted that McMann still has a photo of the Leafs as his Instagram header, despite being deal to Seattle, and having posted a goodbye on his Instagram.
McMann's refusal to scrub his Toronto identity reportedly signals a firm July 1 reunion plan
The social media detectives, who have given a bot dedicated to Instagram follows and unfollows over 16K followers, think there may be something more to McMann's profile pic.
The idea of a deeper conspiracy is the idea that McMann wants to remain a Leaf, something he said prior to being dealt, but is he going to sign in Toronto? There's no indication of that.
McMann is in the final year of a two-year contract at $1.35M. While McMann signing with Toronto can't be ruled out, as it was reported McMann wanted to remain a Maple Leaf.
While some suggest it's just a forgotten
update, in the high-stakes world of NHL player branding, maintaining a former team's imagery during a contract year is rarely an accident.
update, in the high-stakes world of NHL player branding, maintaining a former team's imagery during a contract year is rarely an accident.
Perhaps McMann hasn't found a great photo of him as a Kraken yet, or has just forgotten to change the photo. That doesn't mean he's returning to Toronto. I still have my old job on Facebook, I won't be returning anytime soon.
If Bobby McMann was signaling his desire to stay in Toronto, he's probably not doing it over Instagram, but it wouldn't be completely impossible to think the door is closed on a reunion, although doubtful.
How re-signing McMann in July would turn a "weak" deadline trade into a firm strategic win for Brad Treliving
If the Toronto Maple Leafs were to re-sign Bobby McMann once again, it would be a massive win to a trade that after less than a month is being feared as a loss.
The Leafs were viewed as having given a weak return for McMann, and his strong first few games with Seattle have made that seem even more the case.
The Leafs free agent class is one in which this struggling organization is needing to be aggressive, and throwing money at the best players with a rising cap and a need for help on offense.
It's a fun "twist", although it's doubtful, to put it softly. But if the Leafs can make a surprise signing for Bobby McMann, it'd be the biggest gambit of Brad Treliving's time as the Leafs GM.
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The best defenseman in the 2026 draft wants to be a Maple Leaf and Toronto is 13 games from making it happen
The best defenseman in the 2026 draft wants to be a Maple Leaf and Toronto is 13 games from making it happen
| POLL | ||
MARS 20|985 ANSWERS Bobby McMann sends a clear social media clue to Leafs fans about a summer return to Toronto Is Bobby McMann's Instagram header being him as a Leaf a sign that he'll return to Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 631 | 64.1 % |
| No | 354 | 35.9 % |
| List of polls | ||