Auston Matthews returned to practice and nearly took part in a full session. The question is how much longer? ELMONT, N.Y. — To say that the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting a maximum return on forward Bobby McMann would be quite an understatement. The forward scored both of Toronto's goals in a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Thursday. That brought his total goals scored to 12 this season, leapfrogging past Auston Matthews (currently out with an upper-body injury) and Matthew Knies to sit fourth on the team behind William Nylander (23), John Tavares (19) and Mitch Marner (13). [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itkqi8WScL4[/embed] But what has made McMann's contribution so impressive is the rate at which he's scoring. After his two-goal performance, McMann improved his goals per 60 minutes played this season (minimum 100 minutes of ice time) to 1.69, best among the Maple Leafs and fourth in the NHL behind Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), Jack Roslovic (Carolina Hurricanes) and Adam Gaudette (Ottawa Senators). Top 10 players goals per 60 minutes in 2024-25 (minimum 100 minutes of ice time). [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExODU3NTg5ODE2Nzk2NzA3/screenshot-2025-01-03-at-94718am.png] Top 10 players goals per 60 minutes in 2024-25 (minimum 100 minutes of ice time). To put that into perspective, these numbers are as the Maple Leafs near the midway point of the season. Matthews, who led the NHL in goals last season with 69, finished first in goals per season with a minimum of 200 minutes at a rate of 1.84. Of course, McMann is playing on the third line and the level of matchups isn't as difficult, however McMann did also get some time on the second line and had success earlier in the season. But right now there is no reason to break up the line of McMann, Max Domi and Nick Robertson, who were instrumental in defeating the Islanders on Thursday. "I think we all have a lot of trust in each other, and we know we're all different players," McMann explained of his line. "I think I'm a different player than Domi, Domi, a different player than Robbie. We all kind of bring something different to the table, and we're trying to bring our best to the table and not try to do anything we're not. "I like it when the puck's on Domes' stick. He's obviously a great passer. I like seeing Robbie with the down low. He's so decisive, and he's able to be slippery and get around guys. So I think it works really well that we're all different." Changing that third line is definitely out, but another way the Leafs could look to give McMann more minutes on the power play. On Thursday, the player scored his first this season with the man advantage. Primarily skating on a second unit that gets roughly 25 per cent of the advantage of the time, it might be worth exploring McMann as the net-front presence on the first unit while moving Matthew Knies to the second unit. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSGNvZa6gqM[/embed] Either way, McMann's emergence as a power forward has been a welcomed development for the Maple Leafs, who signed him to the an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and saw him blossom in 2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjM5NDEwNTc4NDM0MDI0/googlenews.svg] Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
