The Edmonton Oilers are entering a very important offseason. After a frustrating regular season and short playoff run, the Oilers should be looking to revamp their roster. The Oilers need to bring in more help for superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl if they hope to have more success next season.
One specific area that the Oilers should be looking to improve is their forward group. They need more scoring from players outside of McDavid and Draisaitl. Because of this, it would not be shocking in the slightest if they bring in at least one impactful forward during the summer.
Due to this, a notable pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) is now being viewed as a potential target for the Oilers heading into the offseason.
Former Maple Leafs Forward Bobby McMann Named Potential Target for Oilers
In a recent article for The Athletic, Allan Mitchell took a look at eight free agents who the Oilers should consider taking a run at if they hit the free-agent market. Among the players who Mitchell listed as a potential target for the Oilers is former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann.
“McMann is a fast train winger who will be 30 in June. He’s a late bloomer who can score goals, and the Oilers might be able to bring him in at reasonable dollars,” Mitchell wrote.
When looking at the Oilers’ current roster, there is no question that they could use a player like McMann. This is because he not only contributes well offensively but also plays a heavy game. With this, he would be a perfect addition to an Oilers club that is looking to go on a real run next season.
McMann’s stats from this season show just how impactful he is capable of being when playing at his best. In 78 games this season split between the Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken, the 6-foot-2 forward set new career highs with 29 goals, 17 assists, 46 points, and 165 hits. With numbers like these, he would undoubtedly give the Oilers’ forward group a nice boost if signed.
Why the Oilers Could Miss Out on McMann
While McMann stands out as an excellent potential target for the Oilers, there is certainly a chance that they could miss out on him. Given how well McMann played for the Kraken after being acquired from the Maple Leafs, it would not be surprising in the slightest if Seattle works hard to re-sign him before July 1.
McMann played some of the best hockey of his career after being traded to the Kraken, and the truth is in his stats. In 18 games with the Kraken after being traded by the Maple Leafs, he had 10 goals, 14 points, and 30 hits. With numbers like these, the possibility of him staying put in Seattle is there.
However, there is also a real chance that McMann will decide to test the market due to his big season. If he does, the Oilers would be wise to make a serious push for him. The fit looks great on paper, so time will tell if they end up landing him.
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