Maple Leafs Sign Rookie Forward To Multi-Year Extension

 

After a slow start to his official rookie season, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann exploded in mid-February with a hat trick and a stretch of 10 points in six games, landing himself a promotion to the third-line. And now, he's landed himself something even better: a two-year extension. 

🖊 We’ve re-signed Bobby McMann to a two-year contract extension

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 13, 2024

A late-bloomer, the 27-year-old gets an AAV of $1.35 million for the next two seasons beginning next year. 

After starting his season with just seven points in his first 26 games in Toronto playing largely fourth-line minutes, McMann made his mark on Feb. 13th, exactly one month ago, with the hatty, establishing himself as a viable bottom-six forward in the Leafs lineup.

Congratulations to Bobby McMann on the first hat trick of his career! 🎩🎩🎩

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/tDe7NYi95z

— NHL (@NHL) February 14, 2024

The irony is, McMann was being considered as a healthy scratch that week before an illness ran through the team, and head coach Sheldon Keefe was forced to use him. Since then, McMann hasn't looked back, scoring another pair of goals two games later, and singles in the next two contests as well.

"It's been a great development for us," said Keefe shortly after that scoring binge. "What I see there is a guy that — given he was going to be a healthy scratch earlier this week — if you put yourself in his shoes, I'm sure he's like, 'It's not good. I've had my chance and I'm starting to slip and others are starting to come in.' Once he got his chance, he's showing that he's not going to let this one slip."

His chance with the Leafs has been a couple of years in the making. McMann had his first full season with the Marlies of the AHL in 2021-22, and set a team rookie record with 24 goals in 61 games. He followed that up with an even more impressive performance last year with 21 goals in just 30 games with the Marlies.

Overall this season, McMann has 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points in 40 games. 

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports