Maple Leafs Willing to Compromise on Bobby McMann Trade

Toronto may have to settle for less than a first-round pick before the NHL trade deadline.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are running out of time to trade forward Bobby McMann before the NHL trade deadline on Friday. It's been reported that the Leafs were originally seeking a first-round pick in return, but they may now be willing to compromise and accept a package of two second-round picks instead. McMann is on an expiring contract and is having a career-best offensive season, making him an attractive trade target for contending teams.

Why it matters

The Maple Leafs are in a tough spot, as they risk losing McMann for nothing if they can't find a trade partner before he hits free agency. Compromising on their asking price could allow them to get some value in return for the 26-year-old forward.

The details

According to TSN's Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs may have to settle for a package of two second-round picks for McMann, rather than their original asking price of a first-round pick. This comes as contending teams are running low on first-round picks to trade. The Leafs could also look to sign McMann to a contract extension similar to the five-year, $5.75 million AAV deal the San Jose Sharks gave to Kiefer Sherwood.

  • The NHL trade deadline is Friday, March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET.

The players

Bobby McMann

A 26-year-old forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs who is in the midst of a career-best offensive season and has an expiring contract.

Kiefer Sherwood

A forward who recently signed a five-year, $5.75 million AAV contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, which could serve as a comparable for a potential Bobby McMann extension.

Elliotte Friedman

A hockey insider and reporter for TSN who has reported on the Maple Leafs' trade discussions involving Bobby McMann.

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What they’re saying

“If not a first for Bobby McMann (and contenders are running out of them to trade), then Toronto would consider two seconds, which is what Vancouver got for Kiefer Sherwood.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Hockey Insider (TSN)

What’s next

The Maple Leafs have until the NHL trade deadline on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET to decide whether to trade Bobby McMann or attempt to sign him to a contract extension.

The takeaway

The Maple Leafs' willingness to compromise on their asking price for Bobby McMann highlights the challenges of trading players with expiring contracts at the deadline. Toronto must weigh the risk of losing McMann for nothing in free agency against the potential return they can get in a trade, even if it's less than their initial asking price.