Brad Treliving Has a Chance to Reverse One of Kyle Dubas' Most Controversial Moves As Leafs GM

Ahead of the 2021 expansion draft that welcomed the Seattle Kraken to the NHL, teams were busy 'wheeling and dealing' in attempts to protect certain players -- or at the very least, collect assets for a player they were going to lose. For the Leafs, the situation was no different.

In fear of losing the unprotected Alexander Kerfoot, Leafs President Brendan Shanahan suggested, while the Leafs were filming the Amazon 'All or Nothing' documentary, that the Leafs acquire then Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jared McCann in order to protect Justin Holl, allowing Seattle to choose between Kerfoot and McCann, believing that Seattle may opt for McCann.

Dubas seemingly agreed and sent Filip Hallander and a 7th round pick in 2023 to Pittsburgh for the now 28-year-old McCann.

When McCann heard the Leafs had acquired him, he was hopeful the Leafs would protect him, but a few days later, he was a member of the Seattle Kraken.

McCann scored 40 goals in his first season with Seattle and another 29 last season. He has 14 goals this season which would rank him seventh on this current Leafs team.

As Seattle continues to fall in the standings, they have quietly made the former first-round pick available and he may actually be the best option for the Leafs.

McCann has another two years on his current deal with a $5M cap hit, can play in all situations and is very reliable defensively.

Although he has primarily been used as a winger with the Kraken, McCann can play down the middle if needed as he has done in past seasons. In 643 games across 10 seasons, McCann has tallied 176 goals and 379 points.