Even after the Olympic roster freeze, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to find themselves at the center of the trade conversation. A team they were linked to prior to the freeze, the Edmonton Oilers, have been confirmed as a team that has called. Interestingly, one source says it’s not about the player most often connected to the rumors.
Analysts and insiders have focused on UFA Bobby McMann as a target for Edmonton, but another source says he hasn’t been the topic of conversation between the two teams.
Maple Leafs Getting Interest in OEL and Roy
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Edmonton and Toronto have had trade discussions leading up to the freeze, but they did not focus on McMann. While he’s not 100 percent sure who the Oilers are targeting, he believes Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman was kicking tires on the availability of Nicolas Roy and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, two veterans with term remaining on their deals.
“I know there was a lot of attention and speculation surrounding McMann, but going into the week, they hadn’t spoken about him. It sounds like maybe it’s Nic Roy, maybe it’s an Oliver Ekman-Larsson… that’s something to keep an eye on coming out of the break and closer to the deadline.”
This isn’t to say that the Oilers don’t want McMann, or that in the right trade, they wouldn’t be eager to have McMann’s name thrown into the mix. That said, Pagnotta shared during an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek that a rental is not their priority.
Why Roy and Ekman-Larsson?
Roy, 29, is signed through next season at a manageable $3 million cap hit and has chipped in 20 points in 54 games while filling a versatile middle-six role. The Oilers are reportedly looking for a third-line center to avoid moving Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the top line.
Related: Oilers Linked To Maple Leafs’ Defenseman Brandon Carlo
Ekman-Larsson, meanwhile, has quietly become one of the Leafs’ most effective blue-line contributors, posting 34 points in 57 games while providing stability and experience on the back end. At a $3.5 million cap hit, he’s a value add and a dependable option. The Oilers have allowed far too many goals against in recent games, and someone with experience would be of use.
Both players come in at reasonable numbers and fit the profile Edmonton has favored in the past: contributors with term rather than pure rentals. But from Toronto’s perspective, it potentially takes McMann off the table, and if the Oilers are going to give up a first-round pick, it won’t be for a rental.
The Maple Leafs Can Wait, But Will They?
The Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving aren’t under pressure to move either player, as they might be with McMann. If Toronto believes a few adjustments over the summer can fix their issues, Ekman-Larsson playing meaningful minutes, and Roy providing lineup flexibility might be two players worth hanging onto.
However, if Toronto chooses to engage in trade talks, it would likely do so from a position of strength. They can land a first, a solid prospect, and more. They would need to take on salary, possibly in the form of Andrew Mangiapane, and the Oilers may ask for some retention, but as Edmonton’s urgency nears the deadline, the Leafs can take advantage of it.
For any team looking at OEL or Roy, Treliving has to see this outside interest as an opportunity to reshape his roster on his own terms.
