Two games on the Maple Leafs’ top line, three goals for Bobby McMann.
The 28-year-old winger has been given a golden opportunity by head coach Craig Berube of late, and McMann’s running with it. The Maple Leafs’ power forward has played career-high minutes in back-to-back games, he’s been showing off his blazing speed and his current linemate Mitch Marner is loving what he’s seeing.
“He’s moving is feet very well, and he’s getting around the net, and he’s getting rewarded for it. ” Marner said post-game about McMann after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime.
“It’s great to see, he’s obviously got a great shot, like I said, he moves his feet very well and I thought we’ve done a good job to move the puck in the O-zone, and we could still do a better job of that, but that will come.”
With just two games together as a line, the chemistry will continue to build for John Tavares, Marner and McMann. Against the Oilers, the trio was dominant in all three zones and in particular, it was McMann’s ability to turn on the jets which continues to make an impact in key moments of the game.
McMann’s speed is nothing to joke about, he’s in the 97th percentile of speed bursts over 20 mph according to NHL Edge, and just outside the top-10 league wide. This is a top-10 that includes Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point, Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel, Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and the reiging Hart Trophy winner, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon. It’s evident on McMann’s latest goal, his sixth of the season, that he can turn on the jets when he needs to.
BOBBY McMANN WINS THE FOOT RACE AFTER A WILD RICOCHET AND THE LEAFS ARE ON TOP 🏃 pic.twitter.com/0rQWBXsirk
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 17, 2024
The Maple Leafs are a tough team to beat when McMann is leading the supporting cast, supplying the secondary scoring Toronto craves. How tough you ask? Toronto is 14-0-1 when McMann scores a goal: how’s that for moving the needle for the hockey club!
McMann’s an integral part of Berube’s lineup, and at just $1.35 million AAV against the cap this season and next, he’s perfectly suited as a complimentary piece for the Maple Leafs.
