C/F Jared McCann
When it comes to the name Jared McCann, Leafs fans everywhere will forever remember that name due to the circumstances in which he was associated with the organization.
Back in July of 2021, McCann was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh-round pick and Filipino Hollander. McCann would have been a great addition to the club, given his growing potential that he had shown at the time.
However, the Leafs had mainly acquired his services to help protect the incumbent Alex Kerfoot at the time from being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. It ended up working as the Kraken would take the exposed McCann instead of Kerfoot. As a result, McCann’s tenure with the Maple Leafs lasted all but a few days.
But looking back at it now, perhaps Toronto should have kept McCann instead. After all, the 28-year-old forward has since developed into a bonafide perennial 25+ goal scorer and 50+ point getter in his past few seasons with Seattle.
This year, McCann has compiled 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points in 57 games played with the Kraken to date.
With Seattle likely out of the playoff picture, the Leafs have a chance to make things right by correcting their wrong decision from the past by pursuing him. More significantly, at just an annual AAV of $5 million, McCann is a reasonable addition.
The cost would be high and he might already have had his best season, but McCann is one of the best options out there for the Leafs.