There was a real ultimatum presented to Bobby McMann on Friday: re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs on an agreeable deal, or find a new team at the deadline. McMann wanted to remain with the Maple Leafs, but it was ultimately out of his control, as he was traded to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and 2027 2nd-round pick.

It’s a fair deal, and the Maple Leafs exacted their goal of replenishing draft capital, particularly with the 2027 2nd-round pick. After acquiring a 2027 first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, in exchange for Nicolas Roy, the Maple Leafs are beginning to look towards the future, or at the very least, stockpile genuine trade assets, if the team believes this year was a mere anomaly.

McMann is one of the fastest players in the NHL, and operated throughout the top-nine. He was recently featured on Toronto’s top line alongside Auston Matthews, where the speedy winger helped the former Hart Trophy winner unlock his speed through the middle of the ice. He’s a physical winger, but he’s also one of the streakiest scorers in the NHL. McMann can go long stretches without scoring, but for a Kraken team that desperately needs some more punch, it can be considered a win-win move. Considering that McMann is one of the most promising unrestricted free agents in this summer’s class, the Kraken essentially purchased the rights to first refusal.

McMann was scratched for the Maple Leafs’ past two games, and the writing appeared to be on the wall. He is one of the Maple Leafs’ best development stories, going from an undrafted winger to a 20-goal scorer playing heavy minutes in a top-six capacity. It’s clear that the Maple Leafs weren’t able to receive a first-round pick in exchange for McMann, but they pivoted before the deadline, with an eye towards the future.