Trade Talks Quietly Swirl Around $25M Forward, Maple Leafs Pressed to Keep Tabs
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs should be keeping an eye on Jared McCann's situation after a new report from Jeff Marek shows Seattle might be open for business.
With the Maple Leafs still seeking out a top-six forward, the rumors surrounding who they are potentially looking to bring in are hot and heavy. Nazem Kadri is open to a reunion, and Brayden Schenn's name resurfaced after months of silence.
One name they've be heavily linked to as well is Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann. The one-time Leaf never played a game for the team before being selected in the 2021 Expansion Draft, and has been there ever since.
He would be a perfect fit for the lineup, give Toronto a big punch up front, and hopefully replace some of the offense lost by Mitch Marner's departure.
McCann back on the block: Jeff Marek
But reports have been both in favor and against McCann being a trade target, with insider Jeff Marek adding some fuel to the fire that should pique the Maple Leafs' interest once again:
I do think Seattle are open for business on a lot of things, especially with new GM Jason Botterill in the big chair; I could see Jared McCann available; I don't think in the long term future for Seattle that Jared McCann is part of it.
It would be odd for the Kraken to trade their franchise's top scorer in both goals and points (118 goals, 243 points) but with the team potentially heading in a different direction (much like Toronto) they may part ways.
If McCann is indeed out of play, can the Maple Leafs make a deal worthy enough?
How can Toronto get their hands on Jared McCann?
Well, they aren't going to get rid of Easton Cowan or Ben Danford, but they do have some interesting pieces who could be packaged with others to bring in McCann.
William Villeneuve is a young, promising two-way puck-moving defenseman who is on the cusp of the NHL; and with Toronto's logjam on the blueline he could be expendable.
The team could also throw in Bobby McMann, who is on a cheap deal and is coming off a breakout 20-goal season. He would be given ample time to play, and being a late bloomer; still has several years of potentially top-level play.
Toronto will gladly eat all of McCann's salary, and they can trade off David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok (who is open to the idea) as a way to open up cap and roster space.
McCann, 29, was acquired by the Maple Leafs originally in the Filip Hallander deal, though they decided to let him be chosen in the expansion draft, deciding to keep Justin Holl instead.
In 82 games with the Kraken this season, he had 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) but did reach the 40-goal plateau in 2022-23; McCann has 398 points in 668 games spent with Vancouver, Florida, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
Brad Treliving seems to have a top trade target in McCann, the only question is whether he'll end up pulling the trigger or keep waiting things out.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 1481 ANSWERS Trade Talks Quietly Swirl Around $25M Forward, Maple Leafs Pressed to Keep Tabs Do you think the Maple Leafs can acquire Jared McCann from Seattle? | ||
| Yes | 872 | 58.9 % |
| No | 609 | 41.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
