Still A Path For Maple Leafs To Keep McMann

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not officially out of the playoff race as they're just six points back of the second wildcard spot. But, they have four teams to jump over to do so, and there are plenty of teams doing well in the East.

The Maple Leafs' trade deadline approach is going to be an interesting one and may depend on how they come out of the break and how contract talks go with Bobby McMann. David Pagnotta said, "They have to make a decision I think first and foremost on Bobby McMann. Is $5x5 realistic to hold onto him? Do they want to do that versus try to recoup an asset? Can they get a first?"

These are all good questions that Toronto should be asking. I'll try to answer them the best I can here ahead of time. The cap is going up and there aren't real top-6 forwards on the Maple Leafs right now. Assuming Easton Cowan will get there, that's Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. Who knows how hard or when Tavares will decline. Max Domi and Matias Maccelli might be playing top-6 minutes, but they aren't at that level if the Maple Leafs want to win.

This leaves McMann as a good option with chemistry in the top-6. The Maple Leafs can't afford to lose yet another player of this caliber without plans to get that scoring back. They shouldn't necessarily have the toughest time convincing a winger who can put up around 20 goals to sign in the summer, but signing players in free agency always costs more.

If the Maple Leafs can get McMann at the longer term and for $5 million AAV, that's a good deal that they should take. He's homegrown talent and he's proven he can score in the NHL for three consecutive seasons now. He will get interest in free agency, and could probably sign for more, if he isn't re-signed and/or is traded and then heads to free agency.

A great question is if the Maple Leafs can get a first-round pick for McMann. Most of the aspects that teams want are there to pay up. His cap hit is $1.35 million AAV, he would be a rental, and he has 19 goals and 32 points in 56 games. A first can fetch the Maple Leafs something good in the draft, but that player isn't a sure thing and will take a couple of years. McMann helps them right now and re-signing him should be priority.