Maple Leafs acquire Jared McCann ahead of expansion draft roster freeze

Kyle Dubas managed to complete a deal before the NHL’s expansion draft trade/waiver freeze took effect, acquiring center @Jared McCann in exchange for Filip Hållander and a seventh round draft pick. McCann is under contract for one more season with a cap hit of $2.94 million and he will be a restricted free agent next offseason.

McCann, 25, is a former first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks who put up 14 goals and 18 assists in 43 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2020-21. The Stratford, Ontario native also spent three seasons with the Soo Greyhounds so he is something of a known commodity for Dubas and the Leafs’ front office.

It was no secret that the Leafs had to improve their forward depth and McCann will provide versatility while driving play and adding some secondary scoring. He has the ability to play both wing and center, and can play a solid two-way game up and down the Leafs’ lineup.

The acquisition of McCann signals that the Leafs will almost certainly protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender in the upcoming Seattle expansion draft – leaving both @Justin Holl and @Travis Dermott available for the Kraken. If the Leafs decide they would like to continue to shuffle things around in their forward group, there could be a deal to be had between Dubas and Kraken GM Ron Francis that would ensure Seattle selects @Alexander Kerfoot rather than Holl or Dermott, freeing up another spot up front as well as $3.5 million in cap space.

It promises to be a busy few days not only in Leafs land, but around the NHL. Stay tuned.