Maple Leafs get bad news on trade value of Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton

The Toronto Maple Leafs seem likely to trade both Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton before Friday's NHL trading deadline.

They may not get the value in return that they're seeking, though.

That's what The Athletic's Jonas Siegel wrote in a new trade prediction article. Specifically, his take was that the Leafs wouldn't get a first-round draft pick in return for either player.

That makes decent sense with Laughton, given his role this season. 

McMann, on the other hand, is having a career offensive season and has a low $1.35 million cap hit. He's at least got a case to be worth a first-rounder.

If neither fetches one of those first-round picks in return, though, it'll definitely be a disappointment for the Maple Leafs.

"Fourth-line centers don’t typically draw first-round picks, and that’s what Laughton has been this season," Siegel writes. "Maybe his intangible qualities — his scrappiness and winning personality — up his value a smidge higher, but a first-rounder might be pushing it. McMann is having a career year, meanwhile, and playing a lot of top-line minutes for the Leafs. On a playoff team, he’s likely a third-liner. Even a second-round pick is probably a win."

MORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center

The implication there is that McMann may be valued less by other teams than Toronto would want him to be. It's not that they won't trade for him. He adds talent to a contending roster. 

Still, the Maple Leafs will want more than a second-rounder for him.

The reality of what this means is that deals for these players, McMann especially, may come right down to Friday's trade deadline. The Leafs may hold out for a better asset than they're being offered.

It could come down to a game of chicken before the 3 p.m. ET deadline. Who will budge? That could determine what cost McMann goes for in the end.

More NHL news:

• Oilers want 2 positions before the NHL trade deadline
• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Buffalo Sabres have gone from last to the best story in hockey