After an incredibly disappointing end to the 2025-26 season, the Detroit Red Wings are a team to watch very closely this offseason. It is clear that the Red Wings need to make multiple upgrades to their roster if they hope to avoid extending their playoff drought to 11 years in 2026-27.
When looking at the Red Wings' roster, one of their biggest needs heading into the offseason is an impactful top-nine forward to provide them with more secondary scoring. With this in mind, one player who the Red Wings should strongly consider targeting if he hits the free-agent market on July 1 is Bobby McMann.
McMann put together a fantastic 2025-26 season split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken. In 78 games this season, the 6-foot-2 forward set new career highs with 29 goals, 17 assists and 46 points. With numbers like these, McMann would be an excellent pickup for a Red Wings team that needs more secondary scoring.
McMann would also give the Red Wings another hard-nosed forward to work with, as he finished this season with 165 hits. With the Red Wings looking to be a playoff team, it would not hurt for them to add more grit to their lineup. Bringing in McMann would undoubtedly provide them with just that.
Where McMann could fit in the Red Wings' lineup
When looking at the Red Wings' lineup, it is fair to argue that McMann could compete for a spot on their first line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. However, due to his strong versatility, McMann could also be used on the Red Wings' third line and still make an impact. He showed that he is capable of being a difference-maker as a third-line player while with the Maple Leafs.
McMann would also give the Red Wings another scorer to work with on their power play. This would certainly be beneficial for Detroit, as they could use more skilled players when they have the man advantage.
Red Wings will have a lot of competition for McMann if they target him
While McMann would have the potential to be a strong fit on the Red Wings, the same could be said about the majority of other NHL teams. He's a 29-year-old power forward who was just shy of 30 goals this season and plays a heavy game, which means his market will be big this summer if he tests free agency.
Therefore, if the Red Wings pursue McMann, there is no question that they will have a lot of competition in the sweepstakes. While this would be the case, he is precisely the kind of player that the Red Wings should be trying to add as they look to take that next step.
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