Maple Leafs Must Not Trade Bobby McMann Amid NHL Rumors Ahead of 2026 Deadline

The NHL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching on Friday, March 6, and the underwhelming Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly expanded their talks to include players with term, per NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during an appearance on Sportsnet.

That includes Bobby McMann, whose situation Friedman sees going "either way," as the team could still come to an extension with the 29-year-old center/forward. While the Maple Leafs have a lot of work to do if they want to try to turn this season around, he is a player they must avoid trading.

McMann is having the best season of his career, with 19 goals and 13 assists through 59 games. By comparison, his entire 2025 season saw him play in 70 games, score 20 goals, and 14 assists.

It is only March.

He is averaging his most minutes (15:17), his shooting percentage is up nearly four percent, from 11.8 to 15.3, and he is winning 60 percent of his face-offs. His quick release and ability to battle for the puck make him valuable to the Leafs, as does his combination of size and speed.

He is the physical presence Toronto needs, and trading him, along with others who could see their time with the organization come to an end by Friday, would be a front office misstep that would leave the cupboard relatively bare for Matthews and Nylander at a time when the Leafs can still make a late-season push into the playoffs, despite three straight losses.

It is a long, grueling road ahead for a Leafs team in the midst of a hugely disappointing campaign, but for the sake of the stars that are already there, and any goodwill still existing with fans, the organization must secure the consistent goal scorer and ensure the immediate future is not a complete bust.

Get the extension done, ensure he is around for the foreseeable future, and lump McMann with Matthews and Nylander when discussing the centerpieces of the organization. Unless it is abundantly clear that a deal will not get done, there is no reason or logical explanation for moving him given the current state of the roster and the product on the ice.