Pressure of the Trade Deadline Getting to Maple Leafs Forward Bobby McMann?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off a disappointing loss the league's bottom feeders, the San Jose Sharks. While the Leafs have been strong lately, winning their previous five games and going 5-0-1 since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, it hasn't been a great stretch for every player on the team.

While some depth players, like Pontus Holmberg and Nick Robertson, have stepped up, one player who appears to be struggling is Bobby McMann. This may be partly due to trade speculation as he could very well be included in a deal for a true difference-maker.

As per Kevin Papetti on X:

While goalless and pointless streaks are common in any NHL player's career, a high-volume shooter going five games without even registering a shot is particularly noteworthy.

McMann has had a strong season so far, recording 17 goals and 27 points in 53 games. His success has been driven by a change in his mindset, keeping his game simple and not overcomplicating things.

However, his recent slump has cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a solid season. McMann is signed through next season to a very affordable contract of $1.35 million per season, making him an attractive option for many teams.

It's clear that the Maple Leafs will be making a deal soon, as their game against the Sharks was packed with scouts from 11 different clubs.

While slumps are part of the game, this may be the worst possible time for McMann to be struggling, as the Maple Leafs are actively looking to improve their roster and make a deep playoff run.