We’re officially bang in the middle of NHL trade deadline week, and while there have been no substantial moves just yet, there are a number of players reportedly there for the taking. A number of teams have veered towards being sellers this week. According to multiple reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs belong in that club, owing to… *points everywhere*.
Winger Bobby McMann’s name has been linked as a potential exit, with the Edmonton Oilers reportedly keen on adding the Leafs forward to their ranks. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mar. 2, McMann put his cards on the table ahead of the trade deadline.
Maple Leafs’ Bobby McMann Addresses Oilers Trade Rumors
The Oilers have been notoriously Jekyll and Hyde since returning from the Olympic break. Despite bringing Hall of Famer Paul Coffey back to Kris Knoblauch’s coaching staff, Edmonton has dropped games against the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, giving general manager Stan Bowman a lot to think about at this trade deadline.
With the Oilers looking to add depth to their forward ranks, McMann’s name has been front and center, given the Maple Leafs’ problems all year long. McMann addressed that certainty this afternoon in an interview with the media.
“I mean, that’s hard to put into words,” McMann said of the trade deadline. “Not really necessarily trying to speculate on officially leaving either. I wanna just battle here. It’s been fun my whole career… working my way into the NHL here and given the opportunity. I want to make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward no matter the situation.”
The Oilers kicked off trade deadline week by placing Andrew Mangiapane and Alec Regula on waivers, so there appears to be some appetite to make a move and hunt for a bargain.
McMann’s current cap hit stands at $1.35 million, something the Oilers can afford to absorb after making the aforementioned moves. Edmonton will have about $1.9 million in cap relief if both Regula and Mangiapane clear waivers.
For his part, McMann has a reputation for getting in on the forecheck. He’s also on an extremely team-friendly contract at the moment, especially among players available at the deadline. Those two factors could very well push the Oilers into making a move.
The Maple Leafs reportedly don’t have the appetite to dole out a contract extension for McMann, but if he can come in and jolt the Oilers in this crucial stretch of the season, Bowman could be amenable to handing out an extension.
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As the NHL looks to institute a playoff salary cap for the first time in the league’s history. A trade for McMann could very well be the play for the Oilers, given they don’t exactly boast a stockpile of assets to swing for a bigger move.
