Bobby McMann’s path to the NHL is far from typical, and that’s part of what makes his story compelling. A 6-foot-2, 215-lb forward from Wainwright, Alberta, McMann went undrafted. He honed his game at Colgate University and earned his way through the AHL affiliate before breaking into the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. Now that he’s become a regular, just where does he fit into the Leafs lineup?
Analyzing the Maple Leafs Bobby McMann
When he finally got a regular opportunity, he made the most of it. In the 2024-25 season, he played 74 games, scored 20 goals and added 14 assists for 34 points. He finished with 169 shots on goal, showing both volume and intent. That kind of production from a middle-six forward raised eyebrows.
Because of that breakout, the Leafs rewarded him with a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.35 million, giving him security and signalling they view him as more than just a depth piece.
His Recent Play and a Snapshot of What He Can Be
In the Leafs’ dramatic 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, November 4th, 2025, McMann made a meaningful impact. The Leafs were down 3-0 after two periods and looked flat. Then, McMann scored the go-ahead goal at 13:43 of the third period, finishing off a rebound created by the rush.
That play illustrated McMann’s value. He was in the slot, crashed the net, found the opportunity, and buried it when it counted. It didn’t show up just in the box score, but the timing, context, and responsibility showcased how the Leafs trust him in high-leverage situations. That kind of moment matters especially for a forward trying to cement his place in the top half of the lineup.
McMann had a quieter game against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday. However, he still recorded an assist on the John Tavares 3-2 goal. That would be the eventual game-tying goal, as the Leafs won 5-3. So even with a quieter game, yet still factoring in on an important goal is a great sign.
Where He Fits in the Leafs’ Lineup
McMann is the prototypical modern middle-six forward. He brings size, net-front presence, finishing skills and gritty habits. It is just the kind of profile that complements the Leafs’ top stars and system under coach Craig Berube.
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He may start most nights on the third line, but he has shown ability (and likely will earn opportunity) to slide into the second line when injuries or matchups demand it.
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He has 20-goal upside already. But his job isn’t simply to score, he also needs to forecheck hard, win battles along the boards, crash the crease, and support the defensive work.
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Given his physical and net-presence skills, he’s a natural fit on the second power play unit, especially when the Leafs want to rotate players, keep units fresh, or exploit matchups.
The Leafs benefit from McMann because his skill set differs from the pure shooters at the top of the lineup. He offers a dimension of physicality + scoring, which gives Berube more versatility in how he deploys lines and matchups.
What the Future Brings for McMann
Looking ahead, McMann has several goals if he wants to take his game to the next level:
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Sustain Offensive Production: He’s shown he can hit 20 goals. The next step is making 20+ a regular-season outcome, ideally 20–25 goals consistently, rather than a single breakout season.
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Step Into More Significant Roles: If he keeps scoring and playing with high energy, expect McMann to get upgraded minutes, more power play time and perhaps more “top six” shifts. He’s not just depth anymore, he’s a potential driver of offence under his role.
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Improve Two-Way Game: To truly cement himself, McMann must keep improving away from offence, defensive zone entries/exits, better puck management, and fewer turnovers. In the modern NHL, being a one-dimensional scorer isn’t enough.
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Consistency and Big Moments: Game-winning goals and high-leverage plays will boost his value. His goal versus Pittsburgh was exactly that kind of moment. If he can produce more of those, his reputation will keep climbing.
The Leafs have given him the contract and the opportunity. Now, it’s on him to leverage it.
Final Thought
Bobby McMann may not command the same headlines as Auston Matthews or William Nylander, but that’s part of what makes his role so important. He’s quietly carving out a pivotal place in Toronto’s lineup. He’s described as a scorer, a competitor, and a depth piece who elevates the team. After his game-winning goal against Pittsburgh, we saw a glimpse of what he can bring in big moments. If he continues developing and seizes opportunity, McMann won’t just be a supporting actor, he’ll be a key piece of Toronto’s push toward contention.
Main Photo: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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