Can Maple Leafs Land a First-Round Pick For Bobby McMann?
If he is really pushing for a number near $5 million per season on an extension, is this the moment to sell high, and can they actually squeeze a first-round pick out of a contender?
On the JD Bunkis Podcast, Sportsnet’s James Mirtle left the door open, but made it clear the market is a lot messier than fans want it to be.
Can Toronto really get a first for Bobby McMann?
Mirtle’s read is that McMann’s value is legit, but the first rounder ask lives in the grey area.
He framed McMann as closer to a $4 million player than a $5 million one, especially with no playoff resume to point to, which is why moving him now could make sense if the Leafs do not love the extension math.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Maple Leafs trade deadline: I think they're gonna sell, I think they're gonna talk about Bobby McMann; about Scott Laughton for sure; I don't know how much deeper than that it's going to get - Oilers Now (2/10)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 12, 2026
The problem is that even if Toronto aims high, a lot of the teams who would want McMann simply do not have a first-round pick to move right now, unless the conversation shifts to a 2027 first.
McMann has been very consistent the past three seasons, recording 54 goals, 90 points, 379 hits, and averaging 13:52 ice time across 186 games played. His previous career high in goals and points is 20 and 34, which he set last year in 74 games, so he'll easily surpass that this season.
The more realistic return might be two seconds
That’s where the Kiefer Sherwood comparison comes up.
The chatter Mirtle referenced is that McMann might land in that same neighborhood, something like two second round picks, even if they are not premium seconds because contenders usually pick late.
He also pointed out why Toronto’s retention flexibility matters here, since turning McMann into a bargain cap hit makes him easier to plug into a contender without painful roster surgery, and that convenience can push the price up.
Elliotte Friedman’s reporting that Toronto is looking for a first for McMann fits the negotiating posture, but the supply of available firsts could decide how far the Leafs can really take it.
Chris Johnston still believes F Bobby McMann is a strong fit for the Edmonton Oilers. pic.twitter.com/hLn4SAVt2v
— The Mug NHL (@TheMugNHL) February 12, 2026
If the Leafs come out of the Olympic break ripping points again, the whole conversation can flip back to extension talks.
If they wobble, the “try for a first, settle for a strong package” approach starts to feel like the best option here, especially if another team gets desperate close to March 6.
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
