The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.
Toronto has struggled this season and is currently outside of a playoff spot. With the Maple Leafs outside of a playoff spot, Toronto is still expected to sell at the deadline, despite three wins in a row.
“I don’t think so, I think they’ll continue to look around,” Friedman said on The Fan Hockey Show on Wednesday. “They went out there last week, and they told teams we’re considering some things that we didn’t think we’d have to consider.”
With the Maple Leafs likely still selling, one of the top players Toronto could deal is Bobby McMann. McMann will be highly sought after by several teams, and Friedman believes Toronto is looking to get a first-round pick in return.
“I think they’re asking for a first-rounder for McMann. And that’s what I would do too if I was the Leafs, that’s the price I’d set,” Friedman added. “I really like McMann as a player. In this NHL, size matters, and he’s a big, strong, fast guy.”
McMann is in the final year of his two-year, $2.7 million deal and is a perfect middle-six forward who can add some secondary scoring. He’s recorded 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 56 games this season.
McMann Named an ‘Obvious’ Trade Candidate
Toronto’s season has been a disappointment, but McMann has been a bright spot.
With McMann looking to cash in this offseason, the Maple Leafs will likely move him. NHL insider Matt Larkin of DailyFaceoff named him an obvious trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
“I can understand if some Leaf fans feel trepidation over the idea of cashing out McMann,” Larkin wrote. “A tenacious, late-blooming left winger going to market at 29 years old sounds a lot like Zach Hyman.
“But Hyman’s career trajectory is the exception, not the norm. McMann is likely close to his peak value and could return a second- or even first-round pick given his unique size/speed package.”
If Toronto does look to trade McMann, several teams will likely show interest in him, which will help drive up the price.
Toronto Could Look to Trade Others
Although McMann is likely the Maple Leafs player that does get traded, there are other players Toronto could deal.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Scott Laughton have come up as potential trade candidates. Yet, Friedman believes the Maple Leafs could look to trade Anthony Stolarz, as other teams do have some need in net.
“Stolarz, to me, is an interesting one,” Friedman added. “This is a guy who just extended a few months ago. I’m curious about the fact that they are already looking to trade him. If they’re worried about him physically, that’s one thing. But a year ago him and Woll were the second-best goalies in the league.”
The Maple Leafs have Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby in the net, and with Hildeby not waiver-exempt starting next season, Toronto will likely have to move a goalie.
Stolarz, however, has his four-year, $15 million deal kicking in next season, which could make him hard to trade.
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