Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has some big expectations for Bobby McMann this upcoming season, as his comments in the playoffs show he needs more from the forward.
As Toronto figures out what they are going to do when it comes to the rest of their free agent additions, or whether or not they are going to look to the trade market for assistance, they still have some issues with the current lineup.
Newcomers Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy will allow Craig Berube a bit more flexibility, though there are still questions where Max Domi, Nicholas Robertson and others will fit into the everyday lineup.
Be big, Bobby! Why Craig Berube wants more from Bobby McMann
One player who broke out last season and is expected to play a big part in the Maple Leafs offense is Bobby McMann. Now that Mitch Marner is out of town, McMann will get a chance to build on his 20-goal breakout season in 2024-25.
He's certainly got the chops to help the team out, but Craig Berube wants him to be even better, and with his comments during the playoffs; he needs McMann to start playing like his size:
He's a great skater, got good speed, big physical player, so for me, it's about focusing on using your speed, getting in there and arriving on time on the forecheck. Arriving on time at the net. Things like that.
For me it's all about wall play, and things like that, for a player like himself. I think he can get to the net more, he's going to get his looks from his speed and his shot, but he needs to get around the paint more. I think that's a big thing for me is getting to the blue paint more.
Essentially, Berube is wanting McMann to be more active and agitate opponents more, and with his 6'2, 215-pound frame, he's got the size and physicality to do it.
Why Bobby McMann needs to take charge in 2025-26
Although he's known for blinding speed; an anomaly for someone his size, McMann is quite a big player overall and he'll need to use all that girth to block shots, throw hits, and create chaos.
With Mitch Marner out of town, McMann could be called upon to step into the top-six, and with Roy the 3C and Maccelli potentially alongside Auston Matthews; it's his time to shine.
Alongside William Nylander and John Tavares, McMann gets the luxury of a defensively sound center, a high level of hockey IQ and playmaking, plus he gets a solidified role: Be a net-front nuisance.
If we can see McMann taking charge and crashing the net, it could draw defenders in to protect their goalie, thus allowing Nylander or Tavares to find some more open space.
Plus, like Matthew Knies does for Auston Matthews, McMann can open up space with his physicality, and with his and Nylander's speed; transition offense will be as important as it is exciting.
McMann, 29, had 34 points in 74 games last season (20 goals, 14 assists) while adding 136 hits; he is in the final year of his $1.35-million contract.
If Bobby McMann can bounce back from a rough end to the 2024-25 season, he's due to do something special for the Maple Leafs.
But it all hinges on whether he listens to his coach or not.