Maple Leafs Bobby McMann honest on trade deadline status and potential July return
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann was honest in how he feels about potentially being traded this season, but didn't rule out a potential return down the line.
With the trade deadline coming up on Friday, questions about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their propensity to be sellers has been the talk of the town. They have several intriguing pieces who could fetch quite the haul, and with minimal time to make a decision -- the pressure is on.
The name thrown around the most has no doubt been Bobby McMann as the late-blooming forward offers a great mix of speed, scoring, physicality; all on a bargain basement deal.
McMann comments on trade status ahead of Friday's deadline
But with the team debating on keeping or trading him, McMann has certainly heard the chatter surrounding his name, and is doing his best to keep his mind off the noise.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Toronto's game Monday vs. Philadelphia, McMann was asked how he felt about this Friday's deadline and he was honest that he wants to keep playing here and is just going to do his job:
I mean, that's hard to put into words. not really necessarily trying to speculate on officially leaving either. I wanna just battle here and it's been fun my whole career working my way into the NHL here and given the opportunity.
I want to make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward no matter the situation.
I want to make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward no matter the situation.
That's a guy who sounds like he doesn't want to leave, especially not the team that took a flyer on him and eventually gave him a chance to showcase his talents.
Bobby McMann knows he can help Toronto now, and later
But with a potential multi-pick haul awaiting his departure, it would make sense to trade him now -- especially since he admitted that he very well might just come back this July:
"t's always a possibility (to re-sign in Toronto). Whether that's now or even after the season, you never know. But yeah, it's definitely a possibility in the near future. It's something that I know we've expressed and I've talked to my agents about.
I do like it here and it's a place that I've grown to learn to play pro and really like it here. Definitely a possibility, but we'll see.
I do like it here and it's a place that I've grown to learn to play pro and really like it here. Definitely a possibility, but we'll see.
McMann has certainly earned whatever new contract he is going to get and there is no way he can be undervalued at his current deal anymore.
This season, McMann has 32 points in 59 games (19 goals, 13 assists) and is on pace to set career highs in all three categories. Between this season so far and last year, he has 66 points (39 goals, 27 assists) with a plus-10 and 299 hits.
He can fit anywhere in the lineup, and has proven he can handle top-six duties playing alongside Auston Matthews.
Getting something for him now and knowing he wants to come back this summer would be a great coup for Toronto to not only get the draft capital needed, but also bring back their proven scorer on a cheaper deal (hopefully).
With a bit of teamwork -- and a lot of luck thrown in too, the Maple Leafs might be able to not only acquire the pieces they need for the future, but allow them to bring back McMann at potentially at better deal than they could now.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 3|614 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Bobby McMann honest on trade deadline status and potential July return Do you think Toronto should trade Bobby McMann then re-sign him this summer? | ||
| Yes | 299 | 48.7 % |
| No | 60 | 9.8 % |
| Just Trade Him | 188 | 30.6 % |
| Just Extend Him | 67 | 10.9 % |
| List of polls | ||