Could Avalanche Land Maple Leafs Popular Deadline Forward?

James Mirtle of The Athletic highlighted McMann in a recent NHL trade matchmaker column, floating the Avalanche as a perfect landing spot. He writes:

“Maybe the Avs aim higher, given the season they’ve had and their recent struggles. Or maybe this is just one of multiple additions they make. But McMann’s speed and booming shot would fit in well here in the middle six, giving Colorado some secondary scoring beyond their superstars. And his super-reasonable cap hit, especially with retention, would allow the front office to add elsewhere.”

Could the Avs Come Out Of Nowhere to Land McMann?

The Avalanche, leading the Central Division with a strong record (37-9-9 entering the Olympic break), are chasing another Stanley Cup. They’ve got stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar carrying the load and actively shining on the Olympic stage. What they could use more is depth. Adding reliable middle-six winger with speed, a heavy shot, and physical edge could be huge for playoff runs.

Would the Avalanche Be Willing to Pay the Trade Price?

Toronto is reportedly pushing for a first-round pick in return for McMann, viewing him as one of their top trade chips. But Mirtle tempers expectations: McMann’s market might top out at two second-round picks, akin to what the Vancouver Canucks got for Kiefer Sherwood last month.

That could force Colorado to dip into their 2027 draft picks—they’ve already traded away their 2026 picks in rounds one through three. It doesn’t give them much to offer in this year’s draft. Should they be one of many teams that inquire and a bidding war begins, the Avs might need a creative package of seconds, prospects, or even a multi-pick bundle to get it done.

Why It Makes Sense for Both Sides

For Colorado, McMann slots seamlessly into the middle six, adds secondary scoring without breaking the cap, and brings playoff-ready grit. Retention could free up even more flexibility for other moves.

For Toronto, if they’re in “sell mode” or just looking to stockpile assets amid their own inconsistencies, moving a pending UFA like McMann for draft capital (or young pieces) makes sense. They’ll want to move him for the right price, but Toronto also can’t afford to let him walk away for no return on July 1.