The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled 26-year-old Bobby McMann on loan from the Marlies and he’ll get right into the lineup Wednesday against Nashville as Auston Matthews is out with a nagging injury.
I have taken notice of McMann in the past. Although he was, apparently, battling through a leg injury at Leafs training camp his speed and compete jumped out at me. I have monitored his game with the Toronto Marlies and believe he can provide some depth minutes for the Leafs.
Toronto is flush with scoring forwards, but McCann could still carve out a useful role for himself. Here’s what gives McMann a chance at earning some depth minutes with the Leafs:
Size and Speed
McMann, a left shot forward, is listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds. I have always had time for his game on straight lines. When tracking up ice he gets on opponents quickly and shows willingness to engage physically to disrupt the play. At times his approach results in turnovers and puck possession for his linemates. If he gets the outside lane off the rush he has excellent edges and continuation pace coming off his glide. He can get to the net and create scoring chances.
Streaky Scorer
McMann is coming off AHL player of the week honours, after scoring three goals and three assists in six games. He has been used on the primary power play unit, skating alongside Logan Shaw and Joey Anderson with the Marlies, and has four power play goals on the season.
If McMann provides secondary offence at the NHL level it will be a bonus. He has never been an elite scorer at any level. He has, however, displayed the ability to finish at the AHL level. He had 24 goals last season and has scored eight times so far this season in 17 games. I appreciate he can score in the minors, but I don’t see him in that role at the NHL level and he isn’t going to knock anyone out of the Leafs’ top nine forwards for a more prominent role.
Details
His size, speed, and compete give him a chance to earn trust as a player who will play a full 200-foot game. He has reliable hockey sense. One area of his game that needs to be better at times is his read/react coming out of the offensive zone. I’d like to see him anticipate better and get above the puck, which will lead to more timely exits and better support for his defencemen when opponents go on the attack.
Realistic Role
Fourth line energy/match-up forward who can slide into the middle-six if required.
