Insider Hints at What a Bobby McMann Extension Could Look Like

Bobby McMann is one of the more sought-after forward targets leading up to the March 6 trade deadline — that is, if the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to move him.

While most reports suggest they will ultimately deal McMann, GM Brad Treliving still has the option of extending his veteran winger. Either way, the Maple Leafs — or any acquiring team, such as the heavily linked Edmonton Oilers — will want to know what it would take to get an extension done, which makes a recent insider projection of the potential price tag he’ll command especially noteworthy.

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According to David Pagnotta, something in the range of five years at $5 million annually could be the ballpark for McMann’s next contract.

Pagnotta said:

“They have to make a decision I think first and foremost on Bobby McMann. Is five times five realistic to hold onto him? And do they want to do that? Versus try to recoup an asset — can they get a first-round pick and maybe something else out there for him?”

The 29-year-old McMann is, of course, a pending UFA in the second and final season of the two-year, $2.7 million extension signed with the Maple Leafs in 2024. He’s pacing for a career-year in 2025-26, having tallied 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) through 56 games.

Is Bobby McMann Worth Such a Contract?

At first glance, $5 million per year for a player like McMann might sound steep. But when you factor in the rising salary cap, that’s quickly becoming the going rate for a player of his production and impact.

There would, of course, be some risk in handing that type of extension to a soon-to-be 30-year-old. However, the UFA market seems to get thinner every year, so if you want your guy, you’re going to have to pay up to do it.

It ultimately comes down to who is signing McMann. If it’s the Maple Leafs, they’re actually well-positioned to offer a five-year, $25 million deal — particularly with the cap space freed up by allowing Mitch Marner to depart for Vegas.

However, if that extension instead comes from a team that acquires him before the deadline, the situation gets a bit more complicated. That said, Edmonton — while not as flexible as Toronto — does have some room to work with this summer, so it’s well within the realm of possibility that they could add a $5 million winger and still leave themselves with the ability to do more.

GM Stan Bowman securing the likes of Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm to team-friendly extensions will become increasingly beneficial over the next two years — exactly as McDavid envisioned when he signed his deal, with hopes of improving the roster around him for a better shot at winning a Stanley Cup as an Oiler.

Next: Oilers’ Trade Deadline Focus May Be Shifting in a Big Way