"Bobby McMann's name has been appearing in trade talks for a couple of months, due to his proven secondary scoring ability and low cap hit on an expiring deal. Laughton is in a similar boat, with his current cap hit sitting at $1.5 million after the Maple Leafs retained 50% of his deal when they acquired him this time last year."
"With the Maple Leafs having lost each of their last four games to exit the Olympic break, their trade deadline direction couldn't have been pointed in a clearer direction. The Maple Leafs have struggled to score, struggled to defend, and their worst stretch of hockey since the 6-game losing streak in January has shown too many flaws in the roster and the system."
"Ekman-Larsson has emerged as the team's top point-getter on the back end this season, and his step into the fountain of youth combined with two years and change remaining on what's proven to be a very team-friendly deal has sent his value skyward."
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the benching of three players—Bobby McMann, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Scott Laughton—for Wednesday's game against New Jersey, citing roster management purposes. This decision came hours after head coach Craig Berube indicated no lineup changes would occur. The move suggests either deliberate secrecy or last-minute trade-related developments. Following four consecutive losses after the Olympic break, the Maple Leafs face a clear trade deadline direction. McMann offers secondary scoring on an expiring contract; Laughton provides depth at a low cap hit; Ekman-Larsson has emerged as the team's top-scoring defenseman on a team-friendly deal. With games against New Jersey and New York Rangers before Friday's trade deadline, these players appear positioned as potential trade assets.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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