Bobby McMann explains why extension with Maple Leafs never came to fruition after trade to Kraken
“It’s been wild,” McMann shared. “(GM Brad Treliving) called me a couple of days ago, said we’re taking you out of the lineup. Thought (a trade would) probably happen a little sooner, then it’s been the last 48 hours kind of waiting it out.”
He added that having Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson with him helped, two veterans who had been through situations like that before.
“Yeah we kind of talked about it, there was mutual interest in trying to get it done, I think it just came down to where the team was at and how things were going for the organization,” McMann shared. “I think (Treliving) just wanted to take a bit of a different approach and try and rejig the team as much as he could. So I think it came down to that more than anything.”
Undrafted into the NHL, McMann signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Marlies in 2020 after completing his college career with Colgate University. He made his Maple Leafs debut at the end of the 2022-23 season and became a regular with the team the following year. He’s seen steady improvement since then and is currently two points away from a career-best season with 19 goals and 13 assists on the year.
“It’s a place that I’ve loved to play for a long time,” McMann told Duthie, of his time with the Maple Leafs. “I was super happy with the opportunity that everyone gave me in that organization, and I’m always going to be thankful for that, so definitely good memories there, but excited to move on to the next.”
The 29-year-old will now suit up for his first new team since making his Leafs debut four years ago. He could join the Kraken as early as tomorrow night, when they host the Ottawa Senators.