Maple Leafs’ Bobby McMann talks Oilers commerce noise – Imperial Wire

Of all of the forwards the cap-tight Edmonton Oilers might add by the commerce deadline, properly, the child who grew up a pair hours down the street, in Wainwright, Alta., would possibly take advantage of sense.

Set to play in his annual homecoming recreation Tuesday, and with the Olympic commerce freeze kicking in Wednesday, McMann is each conscious and making an attempt to disregard the hypothesis linking him to Oil Nation.

The cash and the geography and the 2 groups’ trajectories this season all give the thought credence.

“Doesn’t matter. I might hope for it. I couldn’t hope for it. Like, it doesn’t make a distinction as a result of I’m not in command of it,” McMann advised Sportsnet.ca Monday in Calgary.

“I prefer it right here (with Toronto). I wouldn’t essentially need to go wherever. I need to run with these guys. I need to make a push right here. I can’t actually management what occurs exterior of that. I’ll simply must take care of it then.”

Whereas there isn’t a sense that Maple Leafs common supervisor Brad Treliving will rush a deal this week, as a substitute taking the break to plan a plan for the six-game ramp to March 6, McMann’s destiny have to be determined quickly.

And as an impending free agent with zero commerce safety, he has no say over his destiny — regardless that he’s been forthright about his love for Toronto.

“I don’t take note of it as a lot as attainable,” McMann stated. “However, inevitably, anyone technically might get traded if the precise deal simply comes alongside. I attempt to put it out of my head. As a lot as I can, I don’t put any thought into it, as a result of I can not management whether or not it occurs or not. I’m making an attempt to deal with simply being good into the break right here.”

Utilizing his elite pace to safe an empty-net, victory-sealing purpose, McMann was good once more Tuesday. He’s on tempo to observe up 2024-25’s 20-goal breakout with a brand new personal-best marketing campaign, and he’s now getting top-line minutes alongside Auston Matthews.

Due to his fast toes, elevated physicality, and modest $1.35-million cap hit, McMann is attracting loads of curiosity.

Most contemplate Vancouver’s Kiefer Sherwood return from San Jose — two second-round picks — because the ballpark return for a McMann rental.

Sherwood was moved and not using a Sharks extension in place, although.

With so few uncomplicated provides in the marketplace, might McMann fetch a first-rounder with an extension? Would Treliving get artful and try and lease McMann now and re-sign him on July 1?

For now, McMann is glad to be again on the profitable observe and again round acquainted faces. Extra of these present as much as his Edmonton recreation than wherever else.

“I’m simply used to the Alberta air, so I’m respiratory it in, and it feels a bit of higher. It’s higher to see household and mates, nevertheless it’s additionally (about) treating it like different video games all through the season. They’re simply as essential, and we’d like these wins,” McMann stated.

And what if he stays a Leaf? How a lot does he belief they’ll pull off the near-impossible right here and make the playoffs?

“So long as it’s mathematically attainable. We’ve some actually good gamers on this group,” MacMann stated.

“Whenever you have a look at among the actually good groups in our league, some we’ve performed properly in opposition to, and so they went on huge runs as properly. So, it’s positively attainable.”