Bobby McMann’s 2024-25 season ended with a sour taste in his mouth, and heading into the offseason, he should be circled as someone on the Toronto Maple Leafs who could bounce back and break out in 2025-26.
On the surface, McMann scored 20 goals in 74 games. He hit career highs in goals, points, games, and just about every other category for that matter, but it wasn’t about how McMann’s season started last year, it was about how it finished. The 29-year-old winger didn’t score in his last 11 regular season games, and then once the Stanley Cup Playoffs rolled around, the struggles continued, as McMann dressed in 13 postseason games and couldn’t find the back of the net. He’d chip in with three assists, but frankly, it wasn’t good enough.
McMann’s inconsistent play had Craig Berube playing him all over the lineup, and his ice-time fluctuated tremendously. At times throughout the regular season, McMann was pushing close to 20 minutes of ice-time, and once the playoffs rolled around, and the struggles continued for the Wainwright, AB native, he was under 15 minutes his last nine playoff games, and as low as 9:42 in a Game 2 victory for the Maple Leafs in the second round against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. It became obvious towards the end of the season, Craig Berube lost trust in McMann’s game, and that can’t be the case once training camp rolls around.
McMann has the ability to be an impact player in Toronto. At 29 years old, this is less about development, and more so trusting the role that is provided to you by your head coach. Berube wants McMann to simplify his game, focus on minor details, and keep pushing towards the front of the net.
“I think it’s about focusing on two or three things out there,” Berube said via Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, after ahead of Game 4 against the Panthers. “He’s a great skater, got good speed, big physical player, so for me, it’s about focusing on using your speed, getting in there and arriving on time on the forecheck. Arriving on time at the net. Things like that.”
“For me it’s all about wall play, and things like that, for a player like himself,” Berube continued. “I think he can get to the net more, he’s going to get his looks from his speed and his shot, but he needs to get around the paint more. I think that’s a big thing for me is getting to the blue paint more.”
What makes McMann unique is the fact he has blazing speed, he has good size at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he can shoot it as good as anyone on the Maple Leafs, and he isn’t afraid to be physical. A late bloomer, who can still have several impact seasons as a premier power forward. McMann has all the tools, and showed his willingness to sacrifice his body, landing 49 hits in 13 playoff games, after a career high 136 hits during the regular season. The Maple Leafs need this physicality to continue heading into next season, and if McMann can stick around the blue paint, the goals should pile up in a hurry.
Opportunity awaits for McMann next season
With Mitch Marner down in Vegas, Max Pacioretty still one the fence about returning, Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok potential trade candidates, and with the unknowns of newcomer Matias Maccelli and rookie Easton Cowan, McMann has a prime opportunity sitting right in front of his face.
Matthew Knies has the first-line left-wing slot locked in for the foreseeable future, but McMann’s shown he can fill in on the right side at times, so there’s potential he pushes there. But, there’s also the second line left-wing spot which will be one of the competitions to follow at training camp, and McMann will be in the mix.
He complements John Tavares and William Nylander nicely with his ability to forecheck, use his speed to push back defenders, and his willingness to muck it up in the dirty areas of the ice. There’s certainly a chance McMann pushes for a top-six spot next season, and considering he was inconsistent towards the end of the year and still hit 20 goals in 74 games, there’s potential if the stars align he’s much closer to 30 next season.
Brad Treliving has done a fine job as the Maple Leafs general manager, and one of his best orders of business was signing McMann to a multi-year deal for just $1.35 million AAV. The Leafs winger enters the final season of the deal next year, and while there hasn’t been many rumblings about an extension at this point, don’t be surprised to see Treliving have interest in locking in McMann for a few more seasons in blue and white.
And, don’t be surprised to see McMann bounce back in a major way next season after a dismal end to 2024-25.