Toronto Maple Leafs Lose McCann to the Seattle Kraken

Just like that, the Jared McCann era is over, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are right back where they started a week ago. McCann has been selected by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL expansion draft.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas traded prospect Filip Hallander and a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jared McCann. At the time of the trade, it looked like he was brought in to be an insurance policy if the Kraken select Alex Kerfoot.

What was surprising was Toronto deciding to protect four forwards, four defensemen, and one goaltender. By choosing to protect Justin Holl, the Leafs left both Kerfoot and McCann unprotected.

Before the Leafs added McCann, it was believed that Kerfoot was the player Seattle was most interested in from Toronto. With that in mind, Dubas had to make sure he brought someone in that could take over Kerfoot’s role if he indeed was selected by the Kraken.

Toronto Maple Leafs Adding McCann Was Cheapest Option

As teams were calling Seattle to find out the cost for them not to select certain players, they found out the prices were pretty high. So for Toronto GM Kyle Dubas, trading Hallander and a 2023 seventh-round pick were much cheaper than what he would have needed to pay Seattle for them not to select Kerfoot.

Seattle would want a prospect with more upside than Hallander, plus the Toronto Maple Leafs second-round pick. Seeing as how Toronto’s only pick in the first four rounds in this year’s NHL entry draft is their second pick, they could not meet Seattle’s demands.

I’m sure Dubas was aware that the Kraken had an interest in McCann, so they made the trade with the Penguins with that in mind. It was an easy gamble for Dubas to make. If Seattle selected Kerfoot, McCann becomes his replacement. If Seattle chooses McCann, then Toronto keeps its pre-McCann roster intact.

We now know that the Kraken chose McCann in their expansion draft. This puts Dubas right back where he started before the McCann trade. He is back to having $9.355 million in salary-cap space to use this off-season to improve the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup.

It will be interesting to see if Dubas can find a way to add some draft picks before the NHL entry draft this Friday and Saturday. Another thing to watch this off-season is to see if Dubas chooses to sign unrestricted free agents or make trades to improve this team.

According to Sportsnet reporter Chris Johnston, it sounds like the Edmonton Oilers will be the next landing spot for Zach Hyman.

Toronto could discuss a sign and trade with the Oilers, which would give Hyman the eighth year on his deal and provide the Leafs with a draft pick. Things are just starting to heat up, so hold on to your seats and enjoy the ride.