EDMONTON — Of all the pieces the Toronto Maple Leafs could sell by the trade deadline, Bobby McMann would be the easiest.
Of all the forwards the cap-tight Edmonton Oilers could add by the trade deadline, well, the kid who grew up a couple hours down the road, in Wainwright, Alta., might make the most sense.
Set to play in his annual homecoming game Tuesday, and with the Olympic trade freeze kicking in Wednesday, McMann is both aware and trying to ignore the speculation linking him to Oil Country.
The money and the geography and the two teams’ trajectories this season all give the idea credence.
“Doesn’t matter. I could hope for it. I could not hope for it. Like, it doesn’t make a difference because I’m not in control of it,” McMann told Sportsnet.ca Monday in Calgary.
“I like it here (with Toronto). I wouldn’t necessarily want to go anywhere. I want to run with these guys. I want to make a push here. I can’t really control what happens outside of that. I’ll just have to deal with it then.”
Then is soon.
While there is no sense that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving will rush a deal this week, instead taking the break to devise a plan for the six-game ramp to March 6, McMann’s fate must be decided soon.
And as an impending free agent with zero trade protection, he has no say over his fate — even though he’s been forthright about his love for Toronto.
“I don’t pay attention to it as much as possible,” McMann said. “But, inevitably, anybody technically could get traded if the right deal just comes along. I try to put it out of my head. As much as I can, I don’t put any thought into it, because I can’t control whether it happens or not. I’m trying to focus on just being good into the break here.”
Using his elite speed to secure an empty-net, victory-sealing goal, McMann was good again Tuesday. He’s on pace to follow up 2024-25’s 20-goal breakout with a new personal-best campaign, and he’s now getting top-line minutes alongside Auston Matthews.
Because of his quick feet, increased physicality, and modest $1.35-million cap hit, McMann is attracting plenty of interest.
In addition to Edmonton, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos listed Colorado, Florida, Anaheim, and Ottawa as potential suitors.
Most consider Vancouver’s Kiefer Sherwood return from San Jose — two second-round picks — as the ballpark return for a McMann rental.
Sherwood was moved without a Sharks extension in place, though.
With so few uncomplicated adds on the market, could McMann fetch a first-rounder with an extension? Would Treliving get crafty and attempt to rent McMann now and re-sign him on July 1?
Those answers await.
For now, McMann is happy to be back on the winning track and back around familiar faces. More of those show up to his Edmonton game than anywhere else.
“I’m just used to the Alberta air, so I’m breathing it in, and it feels a little better. It’s better to see family and friends, but it’s also (about) treating it like other games throughout the season. They’re just as important, and we need those wins,” McMann said.
And what if he stays a Leaf? How much does he trust they can pull off the near-impossible here and make the playoffs?
Does he believe?
“As long as it’s mathematically possible. We have some really good players in this group,” MacMann said.
“When you look at some of the really good teams in our league, some we’ve played well against, and they went on massive runs as well. So, it’s definitely possible.”
