With the Leafs inability to score as often in the playoffs looming over the past decade, the conversation around how to change this concerning trend has taken on a life of its own. A prevailing thought is often focusing on “playoff style goals”, battling into the front office around the net. While the blueline or the goaltending might have been underwhelming on paper, the offence has often dried up at the worst time. Having power forwards in the lineup, those with the athleticism and determination to attack directly, might be as big an issue with the roster as any.
One view of the issue is that the Leafs have not been able to successfully integrate such players into their lineup, or to some extent letting them slip from their grasp. The Leafs have been able to develop some talent over the years, only to see them flourish around the league. Zach Hyman, Trevor Moore, Mason Marchment, Stefan Noesen, and perhaps even Justin Brazeau are now joined by Tyler Bertuzzi as players who would certainly help this lineup, yet not much can be done in their cases. The Leafs cannot take back their past decisions, but they can make new ones going forward. Matthew Knies seems to be progressing nicely, and might well be poised for a breakout season, but he cannot be the answer alone.
Enter a now 28-year-old Bobby McMann, author of an unlikely breakout season in 2023–24. Unlike Knies, McMann was not highly drafted or ever thought of as a top prospect, yet both find themselves positioned for crucial roles in the Leafs top nine. Let’s take a closer look at what McMann brings to the ice to see how he might help the Leafs this coming season.
Stats
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Lloydminster Bobcats | AJHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | Bonnyville Pontiacs | AJHL | 54 | 11 | 11 | 22 |
| 2014–15 | Bonnyville Pontiacs | AJHL | 51 | 21 | 18 | 39 |
| 2015–16 | Bonnyville Pontiacs | AJHL | 47 | 36 | 32 | 68 |
| 2016–17 | Colgate University | ECAC | 35 | 5 | 14 | 19 |
| 2017–18 | Colgate University | ECAC | 40 | 14 | 16 | 30 |
| 2018–19 | Colgate University | ECAC | 36 | 8 | 15 | 23 |
| 2019–20 | Colgate University | ECAC | 34 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| 2020–21 | Wichita Thunder | ECHL | 18 | 6 | 11 | 17 |
| 2020–21 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 21 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2021–22 | Newfoundland Growlers | ECHL | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2021–22 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 61 | 24 | 11 | 35 |
| 2022–23 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 30 | 21 | 8 | 29 |
| 2023–24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 56 | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| 2023–24 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
History
McMann has taken the long road to the NHL. Playing parts of four seasons in both the AJHL and the NCAA. We can already see some of McMann’s play style in these numbers, as even in his most dominant AJHL seasons he recorded more goals than assists.
Throughout his college career, McMann did not drastically improve his production from year to year. McMann was able to produce with some consistency throughout, and it was enough for McMann to turn pro in 2020–21.
While McMann struggled in the AHL that season, he was extremely effective in the ECHL. It is clear that McMann unlocked something, besting his college production as a rookie. From here we can see a clear upward trajectory, where McMann had transformed himself into a point-per-game AHL forward by 2022–23. McMann would appear in his first NHL games that season, a meteoric rise between ages 24 and 26.
Still, McMann was not exactly seen as a strong lineup option heading into last season. His ascent was nearly halted until McMann turned a last-second lineup change into his first career hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in February. Down the stretch McMann was glued to John Tavares’ wing, becoming a staple of the Leafs top nine. Unfortunately, McMann was injured, and unable to play in the playoffs.
Profile
McMann is big, at 6‘2″, but it is the reckless abandon with which he plays that his presence becomes all the more intimidating. McMann has enough speed to be a forechecking threat, playing into the rabid disposition of his play style. He has the strength to win physical battles, and is even more evidenced by a heavy shot. While McMann is not an elite sniper, he is able to capitalize off of good opportunities, even beating goalies clean from mid-range.
It is not all good, as McMann remains limited as a playmaker. In truth, his puck handling is not a strength either. McMann will not be weaving and deking through the neutral zone or quarterbacking a power play. That said, McMann might be able to improve in these areas in time. For now, being able to make effective quick passes out of scrums would go a long way, either moving the puck off the walls or navigating net front scrambles with poise.
All together McMann’s strengths play nicely into each other. He has the athleticism and determination to make hard, direct plays all over the ice. The mentality here is important, and given when his development took off it is no accident. At some point, McMann discovered this doctrine and transformed himself. If he remains committed to this approach there is no telling where he can go from here.
Zach Hyman, now with a 50-goal season on his resume, is an extremely lofty bar, but McMann has a chance to emulate his developmental curve. Hyman has continually added to his game, built off of a similar determination. Each season Hyman has become more in control of the puck, and therefore much more poised in his decision-making. McMann would do well to grow in a similar fashion, and it is hard not to imagine that his world-class teammates might be able to impart some tricks and wisdom in this area. At the very least, we should not count out that McMann might be able to show more growth than one would usually expect for a 28-year-old.
Fit
Signed for two more seasons at $1.35 million, McMann is clearly a very affordable middle six forward at this point. He has yet to feature prominently on either special teams, which does limit his potential ice time. There is an outside chance that McMann earns a role on the second power play unit, given that coaches Craig Berube and Marc Savard seemed to prioritize a net-front presence on their St. Louis Blues power plays, even promoting Sammy Blais to the top unit.
Again, McMann might occupy a similar space to Knies in this respect. As Knies is younger, more skilled, and more highly touted he will likely see the greater usage. Still, there are certain areas where McMann is ahead of Knies. McMann clearly knows his strengths and plays within himself. He is able to embrace his role to its fullest extent. The Leafs need both, if not more, to be successful, and it should be expected that McMann and Knies are both favourites of coach Berube this coming season.
The Leafs have a lot of forwards who would appreciate McMann on their line. High-end skilled players will appreciate a willing henchman to forecheck and scrum, high-end playmakers will appreciate his shot. Less established players will appreciate his consistency and cohesiveness. In practical terms, McMann would be a great fit on a scoring line with John Tavares and William Nylander, or on a checking line with Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok. To some extent, McMann might even find himself alongside Auston Matthews with either Mitch Marner or Max Domi alongside.
It might appear that the Leafs took a gamble signing a 28-year-old with only 66 games on their resume to a two-year extension, but it already appears to have been prudent. If McMann is able to string together a couple strong seasons he will be able to command another raise. Next time it might not be such an easy pill to swallow for the Leafs.
For now, any hand-wringing about his next deal should be held off, as McMann appears more than capable of outperforming his contract. Even in replicating his play from last season, McMann could become a fan and a coach favourite.
