What Is Bobby McMann’s Future With the Maple Leafs?

The catch, though, is free agency. McMann hits the open market this summer, and there’s no guarantee he’ll stay in Toronto. A bigger offer from a Western club (he was born in Alberta and his parents live in the Edmonton area), or really any team willing to spend, could be tempting. And who could blame him?

That means the Maple Leafs are caught between keeping a proven scorer and maintaining flexibility for the future. Every decision here carries consequences. So, what might play out? Let’s look at four different scenarios.

Scenario One: McMann Wants to Stay, and the Maple Leafs Can Afford $5 Million

If the Maple Leafs can swing a deal in the $5 million range for a longer term, it’s a no-brainer. McMann slides right into the top-six and continues producing consistently. That means the chemistry with Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares stays intact. The team keeps continuity in its lineup, which is invaluable for the rest of this season and beyond. The only real question is whether the salary cap can handle it without blocking other moves. But if it fits, signing him is a win-win.

Scenario Two: McMann Wants to Stay, But Other Offers Are Tempting

If a Western team or another big spender calls, things get trickier for the Maple Leafs. McMann might be tempted to test the market, and then the Maple Leafs have to make a choice. Do they lock him in now at a fair price, or wait and hope he comes back in the summer? Waiting has risks, because the team could lose a player like McMann for nothing. That would sting, and the team’s top-six would suddenly feel weaker. If they can’t secure him now, they may even start considering a trade before he walks.

Scenario Three: Maple Leafs Could Trade McMann for Assets

If Toronto isn’t sure McMann will stay, they could flip him for a first-round pick (or two second-round picks) or an NHL-ready player. That gives future value but immediately weakens the top-six if the team wants to see if it can make a playoff push. Draft picks aren’t guaranteed future players, and you can’t just trade away the chemistry he has with the team’s stars. This scenario would become a classic risk-reward move: do the Maple Leafs gamble on future pieces at the cost of present scoring?

Scenario Four: Maple Leafs Want McMann, but Face a Cap Crunch

Finally, if $5 million or a workable compromise isn’t possible, the Maple Leafs face hard choices. Letting him go might be inevitable, or they could get creative with contract structure to keep him. At McMann’s age, a classic bridge deal doesn’t make sense. The Maple Leafs might be backed into a corner. Losing a player of his calibre for nothing in return would hurt, but sometimes salary cap realities can’t be ignored.

Maple Leafs Might Be Parked at a Crossroads

As the trade deadline approaches, both McMann and the Maple Leafs sit at a crossroads. For Toronto, holding onto a proven top-six winger will help the franchise maintain stability. If that doesn’t seem feasible, they may have to gamble on future assets and hope someone else steps up.

How the Maple Leafs act regarding McMann will tell their fans a lot about the team’s ambition this season. One way or another, there will be plenty to chew over the coming months.