Maple Leafs’ Bobby McMann remains focused on team, upcoming schedule as deadline looms
One of those players is Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann. Through 59 games played this season, the 29-year-old has recorded 19 goals and 13 assists, the third most goals among Maple Leafs skaters this season. Even with the deadline looming, McMann is focused on the mission at hand with the Maple Leafs.
“We’re trying to win games,” McMann said. “I’m here right now and I’m trying to pay attention to it as much as I can, but right now we’re just trying to win games and get us feeling good about our game today.”
With this being the final home game for the Maple Leafs prior to the deadline, the possibility exists that this could be the last time McMann dons a Maple Leafs jersey at Scotiabank Arena.
“It’s hard to put into words, I’m not necessarily trying to speculate on leaving either. I think I just want to battle here,” McMann said. “Working my way into the NHL here and getting the opportunity, I want to make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward, no matter the situation.”
During the Maple Leafs’ morning skate prior to taking on the Philadelphia Flyers, McMann was slotted alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the team’s first line. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube believes that McMann could slot in seamlessly alongside the two-star forwards.
“His speed and size that he brings, his ability to get to the net and be physical,” Berube said. “Those guys, they’re going to get opportunities and there’s going to be pucks around the net, so that’s where he can capitalize.”
One of the reasons McMann’s name has been floated around some much in trade rumours is his skating ability. Listed at 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, McMann brings an element that many teams look for when trying to put together a lineup set for playoff hockey. Berube has noticed over the past few years how much more comfortable McMann has become at the NHL level.
“I think he’s taking advantage of his speed and shot for sure. He can create a lot with his speed separation,” Berube said. “I still think that there’s more to him, understanding his big body, being around the net more and scoring more goals, but in general his game has grown quite a bit.”
When the puck drops tonight, McMann will officially be skating in game 200, a nice accomplishment for the player who originally went undrafted. The achievement is not something that will be lost on the Maple Leafs forward.
“200 games is pretty sweet. It’s not something that many guys get to do,” McMann said. “It’s something that I can definitely look back on and hopefully appreciate that many and a few more.”
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Arena.
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