Facts About Sheldon Keefe Punishment….
As we approach the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs are seemingly involved in trade rumours on every other player, for better or worse.
It’s no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs have holes on their roster but with many names linked to the Leafs it’s clear that they know that. Especially since this is General Manager Brad Treliving’s first deadline, he’s likely itching to put his mark on the club.
In December, Treliving joined Sportsnet’s Real Kyper & Bourne show and said “Would we like to improve the defence? Absolutely. It all comes at a cost.” He also said “I made it clear coming into the season, that we would like to see if we can help ourselves on defence.”
The good news is, that it seems that Treliving plans to make moves but isn’t just going to sell the farm for the sole purpose of making a change.
According to multiple insiders, the Leafs did attempt to add to their group and were in on Nikita Zadorov before the Russian left-shot defender was traded to the Vancouver Canucks.
Although it is more likely than not that the players the Leafs are reportedly interested in now go the same way, there are quite a few names floating around tied to the Leafs. Aside from defenders, there are a number of forwards that they are rumoured to be kicking tires on as well.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are benefitting from Bobby McMann’s hard work. A path to the NHL is clear for some, but not for all. McMann went undrafted and worked his way through the ranks to get to where he is today.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Bobby McMann to an NHL contract on April 29th, 2022.
He is in the second year of that two-year contract and has a salary cap hit of $762,500. The Leafs are getting their money’s worth from McMann. He continues to impress every time he steps out onto the ice. (Salary cap information from capfriendly.com).
McMann spent three seasons in the AJHL playing for the Bonnyville Pontiacs, which is not a team known for producing NHL players. During the 2015-16 season, McMann registered 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points in 47 games for the Pontiacs. He then spent four seasons playing at Colgate University in the NCAA. McMann had the honor of being team captain during the 2019-20 season.
(All Stats from eliteprospects.com).
Hard Work Paying Off for Toronto Maple Leafs Bobby McMann
Once his fourth season in the NCAA was complete, he signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
The Marlies are the AHL affiliate of the Leafs. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his first professional season saw him split time between the Marlies and the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. He spent most of the 2021-22 season playing with the Marlies but spent some time with the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL. McMann registered 24 goals for the Marlies that season.
McMann got his first taste of the NHL during the 2022-23 season. He spent ten games with the Leafs and recorded one assist. While with the Marlies, he registered 21 goals and eight assists for 29 points in 30 games.
At the beginning of this season, McMann was placed on waivers after failing to make the Leafs lineup out of training camp. Many thought he would get claimed, but luck was on the Leafs side, as McMann cleared waivers and went to the Marlies.
Since rejoining the Leafs in November, McMann has proven he belongs in the NHL. The most recent evidence is during the Leafs current six-game winning streak. In the last six games, McMann has seven goals and three assists for ten points.
