McMann has yet to make an appearance in the Maple Leafs’ opening-round series due to a lower-body injury.
McMann has yet to make an appearance in the Maple Leafs’ opening-round series due to a lower-body injury.
Bobby McMann joined his teammates for an on-ice session on Saturday for the first time since sustaining an injury toward the end of the regular season. McMann skated ahead of Game 6 before the full team practice got underway as he continued to work to get back from a lower-body injury he suffered on April 13th against the Detroit Red Wings.
Head Coach Sheldon Keefe noted the team was optimistic that McMann was ‘progressing well’ ahead of Game 6, but his availability was up in the air if the team managed to push their opening-round series to a seventh game.
Well, here we are, and Game 7 has arrived. McMann was a participant in the Leafs’ practice this morning at TD Garden in Boston. Though he and every other forward wore the same white jersey, McMann will be among the scratches for tonight’s affair – Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said.
On McMann’s absence: “Yeah, not available tonight. But he’s progressing really well,” Keefe said.
“[Bobby] skated hard yesterday, so that allowed him to come on the trip and be a part of the group here today. So he’s worked hard and doesn’t look too far off.”
The 27-year-old will miss his eighth straight contest. It's without a doubt that his presence is missed with Keefe mentioning after their Game 6 victory, “we miss Bobby McMann” because he “makes us [Leafs] a better team” given the way he has played for the club this season.
McMann has added some flair on offense this season, complementing the Leafs’ top scorers by chipping in with his own 15 goals and nine assists, earning a career-high in points (24) and games played (56).
McMann was rewarded for his play when he signed a two-year $2.7 million contract extension through the 2025-2026 season that he signed back on Mar. 13. It’s unclear how close McMann truly is to returning, but if the Leafs manage to string together one more win in Game 7, McMann could become available for a second-round rematch against the Florida Panthers.
Related
Bruins Alter Routine in Hopes of Changing Fortunes Ahead of Game 7 Against Maple Leafs
News from THN.com
NHL Announces 2024 Calder Trophy Finalists
NHL Playoffs Opinion: Why Has This Year's First Round Been Such a Dud?