Here are the three places where Nicholas Robertson is most likely to be traded
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson has recently requested a trade, seeking a fresh start away from the tumultuous beginning of his NHL career.
Despite this, Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving appears in no rush to part ways with the 22-year-old former second-round draft pick. Adam Proteau from The Hockey News has identified three teams that could be ideal destinations for Robertson while providing the Maple Leafs with valuable trade packages: the San Jose Sharks, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
San Jose Sharks: A Fit for Both Parties
The San Jose Sharks are poised to enter the 2024-25 season with a wealth of young talent. Their prospect pool, featuring names like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Sam Dickinson, and William Eklund, is impressive. Adding Robertson to this mix could be beneficial for both Robertson and the Sharks. San Jose also has significant cap space, totaling $14.767 million, and an abundance of early-round draft picks over the next three years.
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"Robertson is a California native, and the Sharks are in dire need of help in just about every area. If San Jose was willing to give up, say, a second-round draft pick – the Leafs don't have their own second-rounder until 2027 – and a mid-tier prospect, would that be enough for Leafs GM Brad Treliving?"
Columbus Blue Jackets: A Rebuilding Team with Opportunities
The Columbus Blue Jackets, another team in the midst of a rebuild, present a promising opportunity for Robertson. Should Boone Jenner be moved, it would create a spot for Robertson to play significant minutes in the top six, something he has only sporadically experienced in Toronto. Like the Sharks, Columbus would likely offer high draft picks and prospects, aligning well with the Leafs' needs.
"Again, if you're talking about what Toronto would get back in return, you're looking at a high draft pick and perhaps a decent prospect. Robertson would get his fresh start in Columbus, and the Leafs would play the Jackets only a couple of times per season. This is a solid match for both the Leafs and Blue Jackets, with Toronto restocking their draft capital, and Columbus adding a valuable long-term piece in Robertson,"
Vegas Golden Knights: Closer to Home
The Vegas Golden Knights, although over the salary cap ceiling by nearly $4 million, could use affordable depth forwards after losing several key players to free agency. While the Knights lack first-round picks in the next two years, they do possess all their second-round picks and five third-round picks over the next three years. This makes them a viable trade partner for the Leafs.
"The Leafs would be satisfied with one of the Golden Knights' second-rounders (they have all three second-rounders in the next three drafts), and Robertson would be much closer to home than he is in Toronto. The Leafs might settle for a decent prospect instead of a draft pick, but whatever the case may be, Vegas would be adding a potential 20-25-goal-scorer without taking anything off the NHL roster, and Toronto would dispose of an unhappy camper and open up a roster spot for a youngster such as Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. It's a win-win for both teams, and that's the kind of deal that often gets made in hockey's best league."
Conclusion: A Tough Decision for Toronto
Trading Nicholas Robertson would be a challenging decision for the Maple Leafs, given his potential and the initial hype surrounding his draft in 2019. Despite his impressive AHL performance, Robertson has struggled to make a significant impact at the NHL level. Moving on from him could provide the Leafs with valuable assets to bolster their pipeline and draft prospects while resolving a potentially disruptive situation.
For now, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if any of these potential trade scenarios come to fruition, offering a new chapter for Nicholas Robertson and strategic gains for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Previously on MapleLeafsLatest
| POLL |
11 JUILLET | 97 ANSWERS Here are the three places where Nicholas Robertson is most likely to be traded Which team among these three would provide the Leafs the best return on Nick Robertson? |
| San Jose | 26 | 26.8 % |
| Columbus | 9 | 9.3 % |
| Vegas | 31 | 32 % |
| The Leafs should keep him | 31 | 32 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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