The Buffalo Sabres' quest to add another offensive threat before the 2026 NHL trade deadline may lead general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to consider making a high-profile deal with the Atlantic Division rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic listed Leafs winger Bobby McMann among the Sabres' potential forward targets in the coming weeks, saying the 29-year-old veteran would be a "quality addition to Buffalo's top nine."
"Considering the contract, fit and cost to acquire, McMann might be the best option on this list," Fairburn wrote. "And the Sabres could keep him around beyond this season depending on the type of raise he's looking for on his next deal."
McCann has recorded 90 points (54 goals and 36 assists) in 186 appearances for Toronto over the past three years. He's also tallied 379 hits, 64 blocked shots and a plus-25 rating across that span.
The late-blooming forward is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, which is actually a positive for Buffalo, which is facing some tough financial constraints heading into 2026-27 because of a $6.4 million dead-cap hit from the Jeff Skinner buyout.
Leafs' Bobby McMann would give the injury-plagued Sabres a versatile forward option
Buffalo hasn't been able to shake the injury bug dating all the way back to training camp, and it's not fringe roster players who are missing significant time. It's been key contributors, including Josh Norris, Zach Benson, Jason Zucker, Jiri Kulich, Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins.
Yes, the Sabres have still managed to surge up the Eastern Conference standings thanks to a 21-5-2 run leading up to the NHL's current break for the 2026 Winter Olympics, but Kekalainen still needs to seek out roster upgrades prior to the deadline.
A goal-scoring winger should be near the top of the GM's to-do list.
Head coach Lindy Ruff has been hesitant to put the organization's top forward prospects, including Noah Ostlund, Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen, into high-minute roles despite the injury issues and their strong production.
Instead, when the injuries have significantly impacted the lineup, he's typically moved Peyton Krebs into a top-line role. That's simply not viable if Buffalo wants to contend because of the fourth-line center's severe offensive limitations.
So, Kekalainen really needs to find a middle-six forward who's capable of moving up the lineup card if the injury concerns never subside.
McMann certainly fits the bill. He's scored 39 goals in 130 games since the start of last season, and 34 of those have come at even strength. While he hasn't received much power-play time in Toronto, his 6-foot-2, 217-pound frame could provide a net-front boost to the Sabres' PP.
The Leafs winger has also taken a step forward defensively this season. In turn, if the Blue and Gold did get healthier during the stretch run of the regular season, Ruff could trust the undrafted Canadian to play a bottom-six role.
Although the Sabres would love to land a superstar forward — the St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas would be a perfect fit if the price was right — that type of move may have to wait until the summer. In the meantime, a player who can move up or down the lineup makes the most sense.
McMann won't come cheaply, even as a likely rental, but if the Blue and Gold could land him for an asset (or two) that isn't a first-round draft pick or A-tier prospect, it'll be worth the investment.
Kekalainen needs to give his team the pieces necessary to overcome the injuries and finally bring playoff hockey back to downtown Buffalo.