This week, Toronto Maple Leafs media personality Nick Alberga firmly dismissed rumors of a potential trade between the Leafs and Edmonton Oilers involving Bobby McMann and other players. The speculation surfaced after a fan on X claimed the Oilers had reached out to the Maple Leafs about a deal including Nicolas Roy, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and McMann.
Nick Alberga responded directly to the tweet, effectively rejecting any chance of these discussions being true. All three players remain under contract with Toronto, with significant commitments on the books. Ekman-Larsson recently signed a four-year, $14 million contract through to the 2027-28 season. McMann’s two-year, $2.7 million deal runs until 2025-26, and Roy’s five-year contract, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights, is valid through 2026-27.
Bobby McMann Opens Up About His Situation with the Maple Leafs
In a recent interview, Bobby McMann addressed the persistent trade rumors that have linked him to other NHL teams, including the Oilers. As an impending free agent without no-trade protection, he admitted the lack of control he has over his future but underlined his dedication to the Maple Leafs organization.
“Doesn’t matter. I could hope for it. I could not hope for it. Like, it doesn’t make a difference because I’m not in control of it,” McMann told Sportsnet.
McMann also made clear his preference to stay in Toronto and continue playing alongside his current teammates.
“I like it here (with Toronto). I wouldn’t necessarily want to go anywhere. I want to run with these guys. I want to make a push here. I can’t really control what happens outside of that. I’ll just have to deal with it then.”
“I don’t pay attention to it as much as possible. But, inevitably, anybody technically could get traded if the right deal just comes along. I try to put it out of my head. As much as I can, I don’t put any thought into it, because I can’t control whether it happens or not. I’m trying to focus on just being good into the break here,” he added.
Team Outlook and McMann’s Optimism
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future, McMann expressed confidence in the Maple Leafs’ potential to succeed this season. He highlighted the talent within the locker room and insisted that the team’s playoff hopes remain alive, emphasizing their ability to make a significant postseason run.
