Is Bobby McMann's time in Toronto coming to an end?
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
With Bobby McMann's stellar play as of late and an expiring contract, the question remains whether the team should trade him or decide to extend him long-term.
Although he could be classified as a late bloomer when it comes to being an everyday NHL player, Bobby McMann has really started to settle into his own as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Armed with breakneck speed, an underrated shot and a lot of physicality; McMann is the perfect and versatile power forward for Craig Berube and he's really shown some serious talent.
Toronto has a tough choice to make with Bobby McMann going forward
But he's also a free agent at the end of the season and there's no way he is going to miss out on a pay raise.
Only making $1.35-million, he's due for a lot more money come the summer and it's going to be up to Toronto to decide whether he's worth it.
While there is a lot to love about McMann, he would be getting similar money to John Tavares if previous reports are to be believed and that's a lot of commitment for a guy who really just started to break out this season.
Also keeping in mind that McMann is no spring chicken either, and at 29 years old he would be classified as a late-bloomer.
Considering he'll be 30 by the time next season rolls around, is it worth keeping him around when he's going to be 33 or 34?
There's no guarantee he will replicate this pace and as quickly as he came into the fold he could find himself out. If he keeps playing himself into a higher contract then Toronto should seriously look to see if they can get something for him.
McMann could make a McDifference come the trade deadline
If they can use him to find a puck-moving blueliner with term, that would work out perfectly for the Maple Leafs. Someone like Dougie Hamilton or Rasmus Ristolainen are great options but will take a piece like McMann as part of a package.
McMann has 24 points in 45 games this season (14 goals, 10 assists) while adding 97 hits and a plus-four rating. He's on pace to break his career highs in points, goals, and assists and may flirt with the 40 point mark if he stays the course.
One issue when it comes to trading McMann is that Toronto's forward depth is surprisingly thin with only Calle Jarnkrok as their real versatile extra.
The team would need to hope that some AHL players like Jacob Quillan and Alex Nylander are ready to step up in case the Toronto roster suddenly finds themselves with less bodies.
Though he's been a critical part of the lineup and Toronto's success as of late, Bobby McMann may be a critical part of making sure the team's defense is much stronger; which could be a bigger factor when it comes to the postseason.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 17|1213 ANSWERS Is Bobby McMann's time in Toronto coming to an end? Should Toronto re-sign or trade Bobby McMann? | ||
| Re-sign Bobby! | 1049 | 86.5 % |
| Trade Him Away! | 164 | 13.5 % |
| List of polls | ||