Bobby McMann Reveals What He's Changed About His Game to Find Success With the Leafs
Bobby McMann recently spoke about elevating his game as he continues to find success with the Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to roll, sitting atop the Atlantic Division with an impressive 27-14-2 record. This strong performance is especially notable given the numerous injuries the team has faced this season. Despite the setbacks, the Leafs' depth has found ways to get the job done.
One player who has overcome early season adversity is 28-year-old Bobby McMann. After a slow start, including a poor training camp and battling with injuries, McMann has found his stride and is now contributing significantly to the team's success.
McMann recently reflected on his rough start to the season. He explained why he felt it took time to find his rhythm, as per Luke Fox's article "Quick Shifts: Why Maple Leafs' trade strategy will be complicated":
"Sometimes over the summer, you lose touch with a little bit of the hockey sense. You haven't played games in a while. And I was just trying to find that.
Because I didn't get it necessarily right away, I wasn't feeling good about it right away. I started to overthink it a little bit. Like, second guess: Should I go here? Should I not?"
However, after returning from injury, McMann seems to have turned a corner. Head coach Craig Berube has praised his growth, describing it as reckless:
"I used the term the other day with (Matthew) Knies: just reckless. Like, he's skating and attacking - and that's his game. He's got great size, great feet, and he's playing this north hockey, and he's been very successful.
So, very pleased with him and his growth as a player.''
McMann's performance has been a major bright spot for the Leafs. He currently has 12 goals and 5 assists in 35 games this season.
Reflecting on his improvement, McMann shared how he adjusted his mindset to elevate his game:
"I came in this year thinking a little bit too much and trying to plan where I was on the ice and trying to fit perfectly into the systems. But it's still, at the end of the day, a hockey game. You're still reading, reacting. And then once I started playing like that, skills take over, and I can trust myself. And then I think things turned appropriately for me."
McMann has also found success on one of the best third lines in hockey, playing alongside Max Domi and Nick Robertson. The trio has been a constant threat on the ice, looking unstoppable at times, when they are all on their game.
The Maple Leafs will look to rebound after a tough 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes when they host the Vancouver Canucks tonight.
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Previously on MapleLeafsDaily