Leafs rookie quickly making an impact for the team, showing that he should not come out of the lineup anytime soon
Early this week, Toronto Marlies head coach Greg Moore was asked who he believed was deserving of the next call-up by the Leafs. Without much hesitation, Moore identified forward Bobby McMann as a player who has all of the tools to be a good NHL player. Well, just a day later, McMann and been recalled by the Buds and got his first taste of NHL action against the Nashville Predators.
Despite playing just over 11 minutes in his NHL debut, McMann was often noticeable for the Buds on the forecheck and nearly even set up Alexander Kerfoot for a highlight reel goal with a beautiful diving chip pass. His performance on Wednesday earned him another look on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.
So, how did McMann handle himself in his 2nd game of his NHL career? He was even better, despite playing less. On Wednesday against Nashville, McMann registered 0 shots on goal and 2 hits in a little over 11 minutes. On Thursday, in just over 10 minutes, he notched 4 shots on goal and added another 2 hits to his stat totals. However, it wasn't McMann's physical play that made him effective, it was his line's two-way play.
During the Leafs' 4-1 loss to Detroit, not only was McMann not on the ice for a single goal against - while he was on the ice, he was not even on the ice for an expected goal against and carried a 100 xGF%. Not only that, but the Leafs out-shot the Wings 10-1 with McMann on the ice and out-chanced the Wings 13-4 with the 26-year-old undrafted rookie out there. He even scored a goal in just his 2nd NHL game, before having it called back due to the puck was ruled as "kicked in".
I know that two games is a very small sample size, but the way McMann has played and the fact that he's been so noticeable should have the coaching staff thinking twice about pulling him out of the lineup when the Leafs get Auston Matthews back. I know that McMann will likely come out, being the least-tenured Leaf and having next to no NHL experience to base a major roster decision on, but there's no denying that his presence in the lineup helps the team - immensely.
With the bottom-six struggling at times to create much of anything, McMann has come in and added not only an additional scoring threat, but the Marlies' rookie goal scoring record-holder also plays with pace, energy and physicality. He's also a big body, at 6'2, 208 lbs.
The Leafs have a day off today, but are scheduled to skate in Boston tomorrow morning/afternoon prior to their game against the Bruins tomorrow night. I'd imagine that we'll have a better idea of who will play and who will sit following the game-day skate.
| POLL | ||
13 JANVIER | 311 ANSWERS Leafs rookie quickly making an impact for the team, showing that he should not come out of the lineup anytime soon Should the Leafs keep Bobby McMann in the lineup for at least a few more games? | ||
| Yes | 271 | 87.1 % |
| No | 3 | 1 % |
| I'd give him one more game, then make a decision | 37 | 11.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
