What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Bobby McMann?

Bobby McMann may have provided more variance than any other member of the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. McMann was scratched for opening night, a decision that appeared to be puzzling at the time, and even more confusing when the 28-year-old started October on fire. After a two-goal game against the Los Angeles Kings where McMann’s blazing speed and opportunism were on full display, I wrote emphatically that McMann should be a staple in the lineup. McMann didn’t always reward this faith throughout the year, and now it’s incumbent upon the forward to find real consistency in his game.

McMann’s offence completely dried up towards the end of the year and he did not record a single goal in 13 playoff games. That’s simply not good enough for a player who showed flashes of becoming a consistent top-six forward, who is better suited in a third-line role.

The goal: Become a more consistent scorer by channeling speed in transition 

McMann recorded 20 goals and 34 points in 74 games last season, so it could be qualified as a success. It can become frustrating watching McMann consistently, because he’s shown flashes of becoming a genuine second-line winger. Toronto desperately needed some secondary scoring and aside from stellar contributions via Max Pacioretty, it didn’t find a reliable source. McMann scored his last goal on March 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers — that’s 24 games without a goal including the playoffs, and if he’s going to fight for increased minutes, he needs to be more productive.

“I think it’s about focusing on two or three things out there,” Berube said of McMann prior to Game 4 against the Florida Panthers. “He’s a great skater, got good speed, big physical player, so for me, it’s about focusing on using your speed, getting in there and arriving on time on the forecheck. Arriving on time at the net. Things like that.”

There appear to be some keys to McMann generating offence and much of it has to do with his speed, along with his size. McMann needs to continue to push himself to the high-danger areas of the ice, where he can bowl over defenders flying through the offensive zone with some pace. He has an underrated shot and release, and he needs to find ways to call for the puck more often. McMann has all the tools, and internal confidence about him within the organization. Consistency is the key to the next stage of his development.

The expectation: Another 20-goal campaign, with secondary scoring in the playoffs 

McMann will be expected to take a larger role of the offence, although he’s not alone. There will be a committee featuring McMann, Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy among others, tasked with replacing the 102-point void left by Mitch Marner. McMann could potentially be an option on the first line with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews as his pace and size would complement the two power forwards, although it’s more likely that he’ll start with Roy and Dakota Joshua on the third line.

A prolonged scoring drought cannot happen for the second consecutive year and McMann is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Perhaps McMann will be externally motivated by the prospect of a lucrative new deal, but he’s been internally motivated at every stage of his career, working his way up through the professional ranks to become a staple of the Maple Leafs’ roster. Now it’s incumbent upon McMann to find further consistency in his game and find his way into the high-danger areas during the playoffs.