Rangers weigh pros, cons of signing free-agent forward Bobby McMann
There’s no question that potential unrestricted free agent forward Bobby McMann is going to get a huge salary bump next season. But should the New York Rangers be the ones to give it to him?
McMann matched his age this season by scoring 29 goals – 19 in 60 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and 10 in 18 games after they sent him to the Seattle Kraken on March 6. The only Rangers player to top McMann’s output was Mika Zibanejad, who finished with 34. However, 25 of McMann’s 29 goals were scored at even strength, compared to 16 for Zibanejad, who had 16 on the power play and two more short-handed.
The native of Wainwright, Alberta, is a late bloomer. He was 26 when he played his first NHL game on Jan. 11, 2023, and 27 when he became a regular with the Maple Leafs. He’ll be 30 when the 2026-27 season begins.
But the Rangers need offensive help after finishing 23rd in the NHL with 235 non-shootout goals this season. That lack of scoring was a big reason they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season and finished last in the Eastern Conference. The Blueshirts were shut out an NHL-leading 10 times, seven of them at home.
Unfortunately for general manager Chris Drury, there will be no superstar offensive talents available when the free-agent market opens on July 1. Drury has about $26.6 million to spend, according to PuckPedia, but the only 30-goal scorer who could hit the market is Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who scored 33 times to help them reach the postseason for the first time since 2011.
With no impact players available, McMann figures to get plenty of attention if the Kraken can’t re-sign him before July 1. Drury has ample time to decide whether he’ll make a big push for him.
Why Rangers should sign Bobby McMann
McMann scored more goals this season than any potential free agent except Tuch and Alex Ovechkin (who will re-sign with the Washington Capitals, retire or play in Russia next season) – and he did it for the bargain price of $1.35 million. That number is sure to go up, but he’s likely to come in at $5 million to $6 million on a 4- to 6-year contract. That’s a lot less than Tuch, who could get an eight-figure average annual value, eight-year deal either from the Sabres or a rival club if he hits free agency.
But McMann can do more than score. He’s a fast (99th-percentile speed according to NHL EDGE) 217-pound forward with scoring ability who’s also willing to hit – McMann finished with 165 hits in 78 games despite averaging just 15:56 of ice time. That should make him a good fit for the Rangers, who led the NHL this season with 2,112 hits (25.7 per game).
McMann looks like a good middle-six forward who could play his way onto the top line. He has 49 goals in the past two seasons – 42 of them at even strength – can play a physical game and won’t break the bank, leaving Drury plenty of financial flexibility.
Why Rangers should pass on Bobby McMann
First, let’s assume that the Kraken can’t re-sign him before free agency opens on July 1. New GM Jason Botterill has expressed interest in keeping McMann, but there’s no deal yet.
The question confronting Drury (and any other GM who’s interested in McMann) is whether he’s a one-hit wonder whose production will start to decline; he turns 30 on June 15. Does he have another level to his game (especially with the likelihood that he’ll get more power-play time), or was 2025-26 a career year that he’ll never repeat?
More importantly, McMann is a complementary player rather than a play driver, which is what the Rangers need most up front.
The verdict
The NHL salary cap for 2026-27 is $104 million and $113.5 million in 2027-28, so money shouldn’t be an issue. But is McMann worth the kind of money and term the Rangers would have to give to get him?
The answer should be yes. The Rangers would be getting a versatile, physical forward who can put the puck in the net. McMann’s bargaining position is greatly aided by the lack of skilled forwards/centers on the free agent market.
But his offensive numbers improved in each of the past two seasons, and there’s no reason he can’t be a 25-goal scorer for at least the next 2-3 seasons.
