Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann. Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Former 40-goal scorer emerges as potential Maple Leafs trade deadline target

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | By Chris Gerics | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 3:37 PM ET

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann has surfaced as a potential target for contenders. He could be a perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It's no secret the Maple Leafs are going to get some type of deal done by March 7. Whether it's for a third-line center or defensive help — the team is gearing up to make the best trade possible.

But if they wanted to add both a center and a scoring winger to their arsenal, they should look to McCann.

With Toronto needing some defense and scoring on their third line: Is McCann the right fit? Let's take a look.

Though it took a while for McCann to get his stride, the Stratford, Ontario native has scored 96 goals and 86 assists in 233 games over the past three seasons, including a 40-goal campaign in 2022-23.

He's a reliable scorer, plays the penalty kill, can slide in and out of the second or third line depending on the situation, and is a sneaky good playmaker. He has that clutch factor as well, scoring 22 game-winning goals in his 10-year NHL career.

Although his possession metrics are down a bit this season, he has been close to 60% over the last three seasons — a fantastic number, all things considered. He plays very similar to Yanni Gourde, another potential Leafs trade target.

Adding McCann to the lineup would allow Toronto to spread their depth out a little bit more as well:

Knies - Matthews - Domi
Nylander - Tavares - McMann
Pacioretty - McCann - Marner
Lorentz - Kampf - Holmberg

Toronto is linked to names such as Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton and Gourde, so he offers the best terms and financial cap.

Schenn costs $6M for the next three years, Laughton has two years left at $3M and Gourde is a one-year hit of $5.16M.

While Laughton is cheaper with the same amount of terms, McCann offers way more on the offensive side and is more than good enough to play the defensive side.

Toronto may need to ask for some salary retention, but if that works out and Seattle is interested in pieces like Nick Robertson — a mid-tier prospect and Toronto's 2026 first — it could be enough to entice them.

But whatever Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs do, The team will look a lot different in the coming weeks, for better or worse.

This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

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