The NHL trade deadline is a pressure cooker, and right now, the Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a massive dilemma with Bobby McMann. If you’ve been paying attention to the rumor mill, you know the 29-year-old power forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He wants to stay in Toronto. Toronto wants to keep him. But the harsh reality of a salary cap league means “want” rarely pays the bills.
According to Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon, McMann could be on the move, and a fascinating new suitor has emerged: the Utah Mammoth.
Why Utah? Let’s cut right to it. The Maple Leafs currently lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft. In today’s NHL, first-rounders are the ultimate currency, and McMann’s breakout play has elevated his value to the point where he could realistically fetch one. If Toronto hasn’t inked an extension by next Friday, general manager Brad Treliving will be forced to pull the trigger. Here is why the Mammoth are circling.
Why the Utah Mammoth and Toronto Maple Leafs Match Up Perfectly
When analyzing NHL trades, I always look for mutual desperation. The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to McMann for weeks, but frankly, the math doesn’t work. Edmonton lacks a first-round pick and their prospect pool is far too shallow to satisfy Toronto’s needs.
Enter the Utah Mammoth.
Utah has exactly what Toronto desperately needs: draft capital and a deep system. They own their first-round pick and boast plenty of promising young players and prospects to dangle as trade bait. But from Utah’s perspective, McMann is an absolute steal right now. At a highly affordable $1.4 million cap hit, he brings a rugged, north-south style of play that Utah’s front office has openly coveted. He forechecks like a demon, has a surprisingly heavy release, and immediately upgrades any middle-six forward group gearing up for a physical stretch run.
What Will a Bobby McMann Extension Cost?
The sticking point for Toronto is the future. Yes, McMann is cheap today. But his camp knows his worth. Re-signing McMann could cost the Leafs between $4.5 million and $5 million per season on his next deal. For a team already heavily invested in its core forwards, locking up another $5 million on the wing is a luxury Toronto simply cannot afford without moving significant salary elsewhere.
If you’re Utah, however, you have the cap flexibility to absorb McMann’s current contract, gauge his fit within your system, and either deploy him as a premium rental or sign him to that $5 million extension. It’s brilliant asset management for a Mammoth team looking to establish a hard-to-play-against identity.
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