Safe to say that draft capital hasn't exactly been a hot commodity in Toronto as of recent. Not only do theToronto Maple Leafshold a grand total of zero first roundpicksfor the next two drafts, but they also hold just three picks in this year's draft.
It's also worth noting that the Leafs' prospect pool isn't exactly the deepest right now.
While I'm not advocating that the Leafs enter a retool/rebuild, they should look to sell impending free agents to acquire picks and talent to help them in their push for the playoffs.
One such player is Bobby McMann. Sure, you could say I'm just making an argument for the sake of making an argument and that any such trade could also involve other impending free agents like Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok.
While I could see a scenario where the Leafs listen to offers on Jarnkrok, I back a McMann trade because he's arguably the most capable of filling a top-six role in a team's forward unit. McMann has consistently found himself on the top two lines throughout the season, while Jarnkrok hasn't had such a luxury.
There's three teams I can see inquiring about McMann and what a trade could look like: the Seattle Kraken, the Calgary Flames, and the Edmonton Oilers.
In terms of draft capital, the Kraken have the ability to send Toronto an appealing offer. Not only does Seattle own two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts, but they also hold ten selections in the 2027 NHL Draft. Toronto could ask for one or two early-round picks from Seattle, however the nature of such picks could vary depending on how Seattle envisions McMann as part of a playoff-bound roster.
Any trade involving Seattle would more than likely involve Shane Wright, who has been linked with a move out of Seattle over the past few days given a noticeable drop in production. The former top draft pick would more than likely benefit from a fresh start; having the opportunity to play near his hometown of Burlington and alongside the likes of Auston Matthews could easily be seen as such. Alongside Shane Wright, the Kraken would likely have to send a high-value prospect like Nathan Villeneuve as Toronto does need to fill their prospect pool.
While the Calgary Flames aren't exactly in the same position as the Leafs, they do have something the Leafs would need in a playoff push/run: defence. Chris Tanev and Dakota Mermis are both dealing with injuries, and defensive depth is going to be a must if the Leafs are to outscore any potential woes faced by their good-but-not-deep goaltending.
The Flames did just acquire Zach Whitecloud from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade, but they are listening to potential trade offers involving the veteran defenceman. The Leafs could benefit from the experience Whitecloud brings, meaning that a Bobby McMann trade involving the Flames would more than likely implicate Zach Whitecloud.
Like Seattle, the Flames also have the draft capital the Leafs would more than likely ask for in a trade. Calgary holds five picks in the first three rounds of this year's NHL Draft and an additional two picks in the first round of the 2027 entry draft, which would almost certainly satisfy any need for draft capital.
Though the Edmonton Oilers would be an interesting destination for Bobby McMann, they aren't going to be the favourites. Toronto is going to undoubtedly look for picks in a return, and that's not exactly something that the Oilers have a lot of. While Edmonton does own multiple picks in the fifth round of the 2027 NHL Draft and in the third round of the 2028 draft, it's more likely that the Oilers are forced to part with their two first or second round picks in 2027 and 2028.
It's also plausible that Andrew Mangiapane, who had struggled to find some good form since joining the Edmonton Oilers last offseason, gets sent to Toronto in a trade. Moving Mangiapane and his $3.6 million cap hit for each of the next two seasons would help pull Edmonton under the cap even while inheriting the remainder of Bobby McMann's contract.
While the Leafs are undoubtedly focused on a playoff push and an ensuing postseason run, there should also be a focus on restocking assets and ensuring sustained success. Considering that a return would likely involve a depth piece and a handful of draft picks, a player like Bobby McMann would certainly achieve such an ambition.