Maple Leafs are widening scope as seller

The Toronto Maple Leafs' front office is keeping an open mind as the trade deadline quickly approaches.

During the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs are "widening their scope of what they (will) consider" ahead of the deadline next Friday.

While Friedman noted that he doesn't think that would include the biggest names like Auston Matthews or William Nylander, he reiterated that "the word around them is they're widening their ideas of what they may consider, and they are talking a bit more about players with term."

The Maple Leafs entered Saturday's game against the Ottawa Senators with a record of 27-23-9 and are currently on track to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

One player whose name has gained traction in trade rumours is Bobby McMann, with him due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

According to Friedman, it could go "either way" between McMann and Toronto when it comes to a trade or contract extension.

"I believe there is an extension that both sides know could happen," said Friedman. "The fact that he's still a Maple Leaf tells me there's nothing out there that they would trade him for at this point in time. We'll see where it goes over the next six days, but I'm told that one could go in either direction."

McMann, 29, has spent his entire NHL career with the Maple Leafs, originally signing as an undrafted free agent in April of 2022.

In 58 games this season, he has 32 points (19 goals and 13 assists).

Meanwhile, Friedman also noted that Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is "on the (Edmonton) Oilers' radar."

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET on March 6.