Bobby McMahon hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, will he be a trade asset for them if they don’t think he’s the right fit long-term?
sports network: James Mirtle on J.D. Bunkis talks Toronto Maple Leafs, and pending UFA Bobby McMann. He’s struggled this season and could have some value if they don’t think he’s a good fit long-term.
** Transcribed by NHLRumors.com
Bunkis: “I just don’t understand that any of these guys we’re talking about would be a good low buy for any other team. The only one, and that’s why I was curious yesterday, was probably McMahon. Where he went, I thought he had gone eight games without scoring before scoring Monday night, it was good for him to score. But that’s Nick Robertson creating.
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I think considering what he did for you last season, scoring 20 goals, your base expectations for McMahon are a little higher on my list. Mostly absent this year. Basically just a complete ghost, he’s doing the same thing that (Matthias) Marcelli and I mentioned. One thing you’ll notice during the game is when he drives down the wing, he rushes the puck with the puck on his stick. Everything else about McMahon has been lacking so far.
If you’re saying, hey, who are you going to end up flipping at some point and who someone might actually be interested in, I’d probably say, given the salary and past production, that person feels like the most likely.
Myrtle: “Something interesting that I’ve found is that he’s been playing with good players most of the season. He’s played a lot of minutes. He’s played over 15 minutes a game. He’s had a lot of opportunities that other people haven’t had.
The other thing with McMahon is you have to make a decision because his contract is expiring. He will want to be paid. Last year he had 20 goals. He might get something that looks shocking. I mean, look at the contracts signed by players who have scored 20 goals in just the last month or two.
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So the Maple Leafs have to decide, he’s a member of your team, are you willing to pay $3 million for him? If the answer is no, then it might make sense, what you’re saying, to move on to something else that’s a better fit.
Bunkis: “Right now, it’s looking tough. It’s a really tough start for him, like…”
Mirtle: “He’s a guy who’s really struggled with confidence, you know, I mean, he’s been in the ECHL. He had a meteoric rise last year. It was unexpected. And, you know, he’s a good guy, a cerebral guy, and I think maybe overthinking it a little bit more than just going out and doing it. And, you know, he just needs to get his confidence back again.”
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