Bobby McMann explains Toronto Maple Leafs struggles after trade to Seattle Kraken during disappointing NHL season

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had it rough in the 2025- 26 campaign. The high expectations were that the team would continue to be another tough contender in the NHL playoffs after the previous year, when it achieved high results in the Atlantic Division. Rather, poor results and a long losing streak relegated the team to the bottom of the standings.

Forward Bobby McMann experienced those struggles firsthand prior to being traded at the NHL deadline to the Seattle Kraken. Not long after the relocation, the 29-year-old opened up about what he felt were the causes of not having such a good season in Toronto and why the club could not find a way to hold on to the momentum.

Bobby McMann writes about the crises of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025-26 season of the NHL

As the season came to mind, McMann indicated that the Maple Leafs had slowly driven out of shape the same structure they started the year with. In his opinion, as soon as it was not possible to achieve results, players started to alter their personal strategies instead of following the initial system.

He elaborated that in a competitive game such as the NHL, it takes very little time to lose touch with fellow teammates, resulting in bad performances. The overall chemistry of the team may suffer when the combinations of players constantly change or when the players begin overthinking their roles.

McMann was one of the productive forwards in Toronto before the trade. In 60 games, he registered 19 goals and 32 points, making him one of the best contributors to the offensive side of the team in a season that was difficult.

Another factor that influenced the rhythm of the team was another element that was mentioned by McMann, such as early injuries to major players. When these players finally came back, there was a hope that the combination would work right away. Rather, the club kept on trying to find the correct balance.

Treliving, the general manager of the Maple Leafs, chose to make some trades of the players at the trade deadline, when the team fell even further behind the playoff competition. McMann was one of those in a deal and had ended his long tenure with Toronto.