Adam Proteau of the Hockey News: Nick Robertson hasn’t found the right in the Toronto Maple Leafs roster. Injuries haven’t helped his progress in Toronto. Recently there have been reports that Robertson would like a change of scenery. Some potential trade destinations for Robertson.
San Jose Sharks
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?
The cap space the Leafs would save in this type of deal allows Toronto to do other things with their roster, and the Sharks would add a young piece to go along with budding phenom forward Will Smith and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini. The chance to play closer to home would likely appeal to Robertson, and the Leafs wouldn’t have to worry about being haunted by him if they moved him to a divisional rival team.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are in the early stages of another major rebuild, and that means there’s still going to be some jumbling within the roster. If Columbus GM Don Waddell deals veteran forward Boone Jenner, a spot in the Jackets’ top-six would open up, and the pressure on Robertson would not be nearly so onerous in a quiet hockey media market like Ohio.
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
The Golden Knights are currently over the salary cap ceiling, but that hasn’t stopped proactive GM Kelly McCrimmon from making major moves before. And landing Robertson would give Vegas a boost in their middle-six group of forwards. 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.
