While the Toronto Maple Leafs have done a full overhaul of their roster, from signings to trades, there is still one fish out there that John Chayka could reel in. That player is Jared McCann from the Seattle Kraken.
McCann, as fans are aware, was briefly a member of the Maple Leafs when he was traded to the team in 2021 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Filip Hallander and a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. However, the forward was then left exposed during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, where he was ultimately picked up by the Kraken -- the team he has since been on. While many questioned why, the time could now be right a second time to pull off another deal for McCann.
Now, with the new management team doing wonders by repairing their defence and forward core, McCann would easily fit in. Last season, the 30-year-old recorded 40 points (20 goals and assists) in 52 games. He did miss time due to injury issues, hence the number of games played.
Regardless, 40 points isn't bad. McCann is able to produce much more, as he dished out 60 or more points each season from 2022-23 to 2024-25. He put up 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 2024-25, 62 points (29 goals, 33 assists) in 2023-24 and a career-high 70 points (40 goals, 30 assists) in 2022-23. So far, he has proved to be an ultimate forward by scoring and setting up goals.
Consistent scoring has been an issue with the Leafs in the past, specifically last season, when everything seemed to fall apart. McCann completely wiped that picture clean and can easily take the role of a glue guy who can casually put up 50 or more points when healthy.
Trading for McCann is not completely impossible for the Leafs
That's right, it won't be impossible for Chayka to pull the trigger on a deal that brings McCann to Toronto. He's entering the final season of a five-year, $25 million deal signed in 2022, just before the 2022-23 season. That means the Kraken might not want to let him walk for nothing, should he choose to leave. The part in which the Leafs would have to work around is his modified no-trade list, should the team be on it.
If all is good and Toronto is not on the list, a reasonable ask would be at least a draft pick and a roster player heading to Seattle. It will be hard for the Leafs to separate anyone from the forward lines, given they signed a handful of depth pieces so far this offseason.
With that in mind, Chayka could dig into his bag and find someone from the Marlies to go the other way, if need be. With the way he has revamped the roster, it's more than clear that the Leafs are serious about making a deep run. Nonetheless, the addition of McCann to the team would only infuse more power, as he would boost the team significantly with his on-ice capability and proven scoring. The Leafs should not shy away from a player like this at all.
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