His stay was short-lived in Toronto. Jared McCann was added to the Maple Leafs roster just a couple of days ago and he’s already set to be leaving as the Seattle Kraken have reportedly make McCann the team’s pick in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Essentially, Toronto traded prospect Filip Hallander and a 7th round pick to Pittsburgh to ensure either McCann or Alex Kerfoot would be staying put. It’s Kerfoot.
Some fans will be questioning the Maple Leafs decision to leave McCann exposed after trading for him. Others will argue this was Toronto’s plan all along. Knowing that Seattle was either going to want McCann or Kerfoot, but putting both players on the same team, it forced the Kraken to make a choice. That choice was McCann which means GM Kyle Dubas saved Kerfoot from being selected, something he was hoping wouldn’t happen.
Darren Dreger writes, “Toronto didn’t want to lose Holl, so they acquire McCann and roll the dice in losing either Kerfoot or McCann. Kraken prefer McCann, so Kerfoot stays with the Leafs.”
McCann is a Good Bet for the Kraken
McCann is a good pick up for Seattle and the Leafs won’t miss him, even if the idea of McCann on the roster had fans excited. He’s a center or a winger on any NHL team and he should be able to help the Kraken put some points up on the board as he’s a a better shooter than Kerfoot. McCann is only 25, which makes him younger than Kerfoot and his contract will cost the Kraken less as well. He’ll be a restricted free agent in 2022.
McCann will probably regress from last season’s incredible output, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be an extremely useful piece on a very affordable deal ($2.94 million). His ceiling is likely as a second line player who could easily play in the Kraken’s top nine.
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