Maple Leafs May Need to Act Fast on Breakout Forward in Contract Year

With Anthony Stolarz locked up, there are only a couple of pending free agents the Toronto Maple Leafs need to worry about when it comes to next summer.

Scott Laughton needs an extension, and while there are players would could replace him, he's quietly coming much more of an asset than he was last year and re-signing him cheap would be a smart move.

But there's also one guy who needs a contract, and he's quickly showing us why he deserves a raise:

Bobby McMann has picked up right where he left off so far, with three points in four games (2 goals, 1 assist) with a plus-2, five blocks and 14 hits already while also providing more of that energy that he's known for.

He scored against Nashville and nearly had another after being sprung on a breakaway (one of his best assets is his speed) and managed to beat the goaltender but not the post.

But prior to that, his assist on Matthew Knies' goal showed a different side of McMann. He used Chris Tanev as a screen to fake out the Red Wings, pull up in close and slide a perfect pass that basically tipped off Knies' stick it was so good.

McMann was the center of headlines when Craig Berube called him out and said he needed to use his size and speed to crash the net and open up chances. So far he's been doing that and it's led to success.

It would also give Toronto some much needed stability in the middle-six; something they haven't had much of in recent years.

So signing him to an extension would be imperative, and we don't need to break the bank either. McMann currently makes $1.35-million so we could feasibly see that jump to $2.5-million a season.

But even a three-year deal would cost literally nothing compared to what other free agents are going to get, and McMann's late-bloomer status plays well into his older age.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a prime opportunity to lock up a key part of their middle-six not only for cheap, but while lining it up with the team's competitive window.

It's time to give Bobby McMann his flowers, and a brand new contract extension too.