The Toronto Maple Leafs should focus on keeping forward Bobby McMann in the lineup.
After an unimpressive preseason, McMann was a healthy scratch for the Toronto Maple Leafs first game of the season. He was put back in the lineup for the second game of the season and scored. McMann scored two more goals on Wednesday. He now has three goals in three games as of Saturday morning.
The Leafs know what they have in McMann, a goal scorer. He's not much of a playmaker, but he knows how to shoot. As long as he is playing on a line with someone who can get him the puck, he'll be fine. He registered 15 goals in 56 games last season, but scored at a 40 goal pace ever since the last 30 or so games of last season.
I think 20 - 25 goals is not out of reach for him. McMann could turn out to be a good replacement for Tyler Bertuzzi, who left in free agency for the Chicago Blackhawks. (All stats from hockey-reference.com)
Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep Bobby McMann in the lineup
McMann is a middle-six guy for the Leafs. He will play on the team's third or second line for most (if not all) season. If he can find a way to stay on the second line, I think the sky's the limit for McMann. With 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points last season, McMann had a good rookie campaign. Now it's time to take the next step and prove that you still belong at the NHL level.
If head coach Craig Berube plays McMann regularly and McMann can reach 70-75 games played this season, I think he can register 25 goals and 15 assists for 40 points. McMann is the type of secondary scoring the Leafs need, especially come playoff time. He missed the playoffs last season and having him in the lineup could have been a difference-maker.
For a player making $1.35 million over the next two seasons, the Leafs and GM Brad Treliving will get their money's worth for sure. At 28 years old, McMann is in his prime years right now.
The Leafs will be fortunate to enjoy those years, but no matter how well he plays, the Leafs will be wise not to give him a long-term contract extension when the time comes. He will be 30 years old at the end of his current deal. Once this season is complete, the Leafs and McMann could begin contract extension discussions. Three or four years is the longest term the Leafs should offer him.
(All salary cap information is from puckpedia.com)