From the ECHL to the NHL, Maple Leafs’ Bobby McMann has made the most of his opportunities

After grinding it out in the ECHL and climbing up the ladder of professional hockey, Bobby McMann has made it. The 27-year-old forward signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract on Wednesday that will see him earn an AAV of $1.35 million. For an undrafted kid out of Wainwright, Alta., McMann has come a long way.

McMann has 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points in 40 games with the Maple Leafs this season. He scored his first NHL hat trick on Feb. 13 against the St. Louis Blues in a 4-1 win for Toronto. When it comes to a player’s first full campaign in the NHL, McMann has made it a memorable one.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen discuss McMann’s extension and his impact on a Maple Leafs’ lineup that needs depth up front.

Tyler Yaremchuk: This is a guy who didn’t crack the NHL until age 26, then becomes a full-time NHLer at age 27. He scores two goals in his first 26 games then scores eight in his last 14 and it gets him paid. A guy who was a fringe professional and now has a one-way contract in the league.

Colby Cohen: Spent some time in the ECHL and when he came out of Colgate University, he was playing as many games in the ECHL as the AHL, so he had to establish himself as an American Hockey League player. Nothing was handed to this guy.

I go back to a couple of months ago, he got a five-minute major against the Anaheim Ducks when he crushed Pavel Mintyukov from behind. I thought it was a good hit, but he got five and a game, and after that, I started hearing his name more. He starts scoring some goals and he’s solidified a spot for himself on the third line.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…