Depth forward in Toronto pushing for a larger role with Leafs this season

The Leafs have no less than 15 or 16 forwards who are capable of playing NHL minutes next season, and with only 12 roster spots at the forward positions, there are likely going to be some very intense battles for roster spots come training camp.

One player who we should keep an eye on is Bobby McMann, who appears to be too good to play in he AHL. McMann was one of several players who saw NHL action in Toronto last season, appearing in 10 games for the Leafs and 30 games for the Marlies before an unfortunate knee injury derailed his season. He registered just 1 point with the Leafs in those 10 games, but also had his first career NHL goal called back. He managed to tally 29 points in 30 games with the Marlies in the AHL.

McMann appears to be taking his training more serious than ever this summer in an attempt to push for a roster spot in the Leafs' bottom six during training camp. While most of his teammates are off travelling and enjoying their summer, here's how McMann is spending his free time:

Last year, former Marlies coach Gred Moore pointed to McMann as a dark horse to play NHL games last season. Within days of that interview, McMann had been called up by the Leafs and did indeed see NHL action.

McMann is a strong forechecker, has good finishing ability and plays a pretty solid north-south game. Sheldon Keefe clearly liked what he had seen from McMann during his limited look last year, and with McMann being a little older than the rest of the Marlies who are pushing for roles in the NHL lineup, at 27 years old, time is running out for him to prove that he belongs in the NHL full-time.

I could see a situation in which McMann works his tail off in camp and reaches an agreement with Brad Treliving where, if he doesn't make the team, he could be dealt to another NHL club who does have a spot open for him to get some valuable playing time - much like what we saw with Joey Anderson last year and Alexander Barabanov a couple of seasons prior.