Maple Leafs Facing Key Decision on Bobby McMann's Future
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have quite the late bloomer in Bobby McMann, but need to decide what to do with him as he enters the final year of his contract.
There was a lot of excitement last season concerning Bobby McMann, as the forward broke out with 20 goals and showed some serious flashes of brilliance with his breakneck speed and deadly wrist shot.
It was a pleasant surprise and gave Toronto someone who they can reliably count on to add offense and spark the team when things get a bit rough. But he's going into the final year of his $1.35-million AAV deal, and is more than likely getting a new deal.
Bobby McMann's Rise Comes With Its Own Set Of Risks
Depending on this season he may end up getting a hefty raise, and then it becomes a question of how much is McMann worth, especially already at 29?
According to The Leafs Nation's Jon Steitzer, it's going to be an increase, though believes it might not be as expensive as some may think:
The Leafs don't use Bobby McMann like a 20 goal scorer but two seasons of strong NHL results show that's what he is. He also hits, carries the puck decently enough, has a smart shot, and you don't hate him in the defensive zone.
The playoffs weren't ideal for him, but the reality is that when you throw in his size, he's an absolute steal for the Leafs at $1.35M and his next contract being around $3M seems reasonable as well.
The playoffs weren't ideal for him, but the reality is that when you throw in his size, he's an absolute steal for the Leafs at $1.35M and his next contract being around $3M seems reasonable as well.
That would be only a light increase from his current amount now, and absolutely still a steal especially with a rising cap.
Why the Leafs May Need to Act Before the Season Starts
However, Steitzer does believe that McMann does come with some caution behind him:
McMann did have two 11 game goalless streaks and that last one ran into a 13 game goalless streak in the playoffs, so technically he hasn't scored in 24 games.
There might be some concern that the bubble has burst on McMann's offence in the NHL, but given that his size is still there and he still is the same guy that put up 20 goals, a full blown panic isn't warranted yet.
It does, however, potentially present the Leafs with their last best opportunity to either cash out on McMann before he gets more expensive or to re-sign him at the lowest point of his NHL career to a more manageable cap hit going forward.
There might be some concern that the bubble has burst on McMann's offence in the NHL, but given that his size is still there and he still is the same guy that put up 20 goals, a full blown panic isn't warranted yet.
It does, however, potentially present the Leafs with their last best opportunity to either cash out on McMann before he gets more expensive or to re-sign him at the lowest point of his NHL career to a more manageable cap hit going forward.
McMann, 29 had 34 points in 74 games (20 goals, 14 assists) while adding 136 hits and a plus-12; he's only had two real seasons and shown he can contribute effectively.
Plus, as a late bloomer he has a few more years to still put up solid numbers and if he can prove to be a two-way force come playoffs; he'll earn that deal no doubt.
But if McMann is hot, then Toronto needs to see if selling on his hype is good enough to bring in that top-six powerhouse, and while losing his offense hurts; Toronto has more than enough depth to make it work.
So whether the Maple Leafs decide to trade him, extend him, or let him walk, there's only one goal for Bobby McMann this season: A Stanley Cup.
But a hefty increase to the bank account is a pretty good consolation prize.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 29 | 902 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Facing Key Decision on Bobby McMann's Future Will Bobby McMann get an extension or traded? | ||
| Extension | 581 | 64.4 % |
| Traded | 321 | 35.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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