{"id":674958,"date":"2026-05-30T23:30:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T23:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/674958\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T23:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T23:30:22","slug":"rangers-weigh-pros-cons-of-signing-free-agent-forward-bobby-mcmann","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/674958\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers weigh pros, cons of signing free-agent forward Bobby McMann"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York Rangers News<\/a><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s no question that potential unrestricted free agent forward Bobby McMann<\/a> is going to get a huge salary bump next season. But should the New York Rangers be the ones to give it to him?<\/p>\n

McMann matched his age this season by scoring 29 goals \u2013 19 in 60 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and 10 in 18 games after they sent him to the Seattle Kraken<\/a> on March 6. The only Rangers player to top McMann\u2019s output was Mika Zibanejad,<\/a> who finished with 34.<\/a> However, 25 of McMann\u2019s 29 goals were scored at even strength, compared to 16 for Zibanejad, who had 16 on the power play and two more short-handed.<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll be 30 when the 2026-27 season begins.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/a> The Blueshirts were shut out an NHL-leading 10 times, seven of them at home.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for general manager Chris Drury,<\/a> 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,<\/a> but the only 30-goal scorer who could hit the market is Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch,<\/a> who scored 33 times to help them reach the postseason for the first time since 2011.<\/p>\n

With no impact players available, McMann figures to get plenty of attention if the Kraken can\u2019t re-sign him before July 1. Drury has ample time to decide whether he\u2019ll make a big push for him.<\/p>\n

Why Rangers should sign Bobby McMann<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

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) \u2013 and he did it for the bargain price of $1.35 million.<\/a> That number is sure to go up, but he\u2019s likely to come in at $5 million to $6 million on a 4- to 6-year contract. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

But McMann can do more than score. He\u2019s a fast (99th-percentile speed according to NHL EDGE<\/a>) 217-pound forward with scoring ability who\u2019s also willing to hit \u2013 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<\/a> (25.7 per game).<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 42 of them at even strength \u2013 can play a physical game and won\u2019t break the bank, leaving Drury plenty of financial flexibility.<\/p>\n

Why Rangers should pass on Bobby McMann<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s assume that the Kraken can\u2019t re-sign him before free agency opens on July 1. New GM Jason Botterill has expressed interest in keeping McMann, but there\u2019s no deal yet.<\/p>\n

The question confronting Drury (and any other GM who\u2019s interested in McMann) is whether he\u2019s 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\u2019ll get more power-play time), or was 2025-26 a career year that he\u2019ll never repeat?<\/p>\n

More importantly, McMann is a complementary player rather than a play driver, which is what the Rangers need most up front.<\/p>\n

The verdict<\/p>\n

\u201cJust feeling like my style of game was wanted, that was very clear in talking with Jason [Botterill] and Lane [Lambert] \u2026 I felt like I fit a piece on this team that they were maybe missing.”<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Hear from #SeaKraken<\/a> forward Bobby McMann during team exit interviews. pic.twitter.com\/Fjmcxn7oCX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The NHL salary cap for 2026-27<\/a> is $104 million and $113.5 million in 2027-28, so money shouldn\u2019t be an issue. But is McMann worth the kind of money and term the Rangers would have to give to get him?<\/p>\n

The answer should be yes. The Rangers would be getting a versatile, physical forward who can put the puck in the net. McMann\u2019s bargaining position is greatly aided by the lack of skilled forwards\/centers on the free agent market.<\/p>\n

But his offensive numbers improved in each of the past two seasons, and there\u2019s no reason he can\u2019t be a 25-goal scorer for at least the next 2-3 seasons.<\/p>\n

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\t\tJohn Kreiser covered his first Rangers game (against the California Golden Seals) in November 1975 and is still going … More about John Kreiser<\/a><\/p>\n

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