Maple Leafs prospect checkpoint: How has Sam McCue fared through 5 months of 2025-26?
He was selected 216th overall by the Leafs in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft, a mere nine picks ahead of fellow Leafs prospect and draft “Mr. Irrelevant” Nathan Mayes. Part of the reason he was taken that late was that while he did possess good size (6’2″ and 200 pounds), he did not stand out from an offensive perspective, as he finished 12th on the Owen Sound Attack in scoring during his draft year with 21 points (12 goals and nine assists) in 34 games.
The constant moving around might have something to do with the fact that his scoring output has taken a step back, registering a combined 25 points (13 goals and 12 assists) in 39 games at the time of filing. McCue has time to turn things around since the 67s are playoff-bound, but the regression has been disappointing nonetheless when this should be the time where he dominates the OHL.
The Leafs have until June 1st of 2026 to get McCue under contract, and right now, it’s unlikely they will indeed get him locked up to an entry-level contract since he clearly needs more seasoning before he is a legitimate option. They could get him signed to an AHL deal and allow him to remain in their system while not counting as one of the contract spots on the 50-man system, or allow him to move to the NCAA and reassess at a later date if he takes strides at the college ranks.
But, make no mistake, McCue was always going to be a project, and that meant having to wait a while before seeing the fruits of their labour. It has not quite gone according to plan this season, but perhaps he can put it all together down the stretch and finish strong.