The Leafs could still end up with a first-round pick after all
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to sources close to both Chris Johnston and James Mirtle, there's a general feeling that Bobby McMann could end up bringing in a first-round pick after all.
With the Maple Leafs looking to make some changes and potentially sell-off during a disappointing season, there is nobody who is getting more attention it seems than forward Bobby McMann.
Not only has he been great on the ice, but the fact he makes so little money and is a pending free agent means he is going to get a payday this summer and it could reach upwards of $5-million a season.
That would be a lot to pay for only a couple seasons of productivity and him being almost 30 years old doesn't necessarily help things.
Bobby McMann could fetch a first-rounder -- if a team is desperate enough
But he's Toronto's best trade asset with many thinking he can pull in at least a couple second-round picks.
However, some believe he can pull even more. According to Chris Johnston and James Mirtle, their sources tell them that there is a belief floating around that McMann could end up earning the Maple Leafs a first-round pick; something no one could have anticipated:
Others we canvassed believed the Leafs can potentially pull out a first-round pick in a Bobby McMann trade, given how thin the trade market could be.
It really depends on which team is pursuing McMann this season, though we have heard reports that the Edmonton Oilers are more than interested. With the team only having a couple years of Connor McDavid left, they may overspend a bit to give him as much firepower as possible.
If anything, Toronto would walk away with at least two picks
There is a world where Edmonton is willing to part with their 2027 first-round pick and perhaps even a second or third-rounder in 2026 and their concern is winning now, so they may feel it's worth swapping a pick for immediate help.
McMann, 29, has 31 points in 55 games (18 goals, 13 assists) while adding 120 hits, a plus/minus of zero and 40 PIM.
However the Maple Leafs should still be able to come away with a couple of second-rounders at the very least considering he and Kiefer Sherwood are nearly identical players (albeit Sherwood comes with much more hitting ability, McMann has breakneck speed).
The return Vancouver got for him involved two second-round picks as well as prospect Cole Clayton so it's feasible the Maple Leafs could ask for a prospect or see if there is a third pick thrown in as well.
For what it's worth, getting two solid years out of McMann for the potential to earn upwards of three picks including recouping a first?
That's worth the cost any day of the week, and it feels almost inevitable that one team is going to pay that price.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 3|997 ANSWERS The Leafs could still end up with a first-round pick after all Do you think Toronto will get a first-round pick for Bobby McMann | ||
| Yes | 614 | 61.6 % |
| No | 383 | 38.4 % |
| List of polls | ||