Robertson Trade Chatter, Leafs vs. Rangers

If it is not an annual occurrence, it is more like a weekly one, as the Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be talking to other clubs about Nick Robertson. The talented winger once again had a good training camp and scored regularly in the preseason, but is not getting a chance to play in the top-six; instead, he is playing on a third-line unit with Bobby McMann and Max Domi.

The former OHL leading goal scorer has never really been given a long look in a scoring role, and the reasons are apparent. Robertson is a good skater, has a great shot, has improved his fiestiness, and is physically more durable than he was coming out of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, but he is small and below average defensively. 

These are issues that now two coaches in Sheldon Keefe and Craig Berube, have considered dealbreakers.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that Leafs GM Brad Treliving has had conversations with other teams about the 24-year-old winger and said that Robertson has played 160 games, and with Toronto’s current roster situation, maybe they should consider giving him a fresh start. 

The Leafs have a glut of forwards, with winger Steven Lorentz nearly recovered from an upper-body injury suffered against Detroit and center Scott Laughton still out with a lower-body injury, but the ascension of rookie Easton Cowan could further stack things against Robertson having a regular spot in the lineup when everyone is healthy. 

The issue is that it is all fine and good to say that it is time for the Leafs to give Robertson a fresh start somewhere, but he is a commodity who has scored 29 goals the last two seasons in limited ice time. His salary is less than $2 million, and he is a player under team control for three more seasons. His value to Toronto may be limited due to his defensive issues, but to another club willing to accept those shortcomings, he could be a top-six forward capable of scoring 30 goals. 

If you need an example in Leafs history of bad asset management, just look at 1999, when Toronto signed Dmitri Khristich and waived diminutive forward Steve Sullivan. Sullivan had 20 goals for Toronto in 1999, but was not a fit with Pat Quinn, so he was claimed by Chicago and scored 20 or more goals the next seven seasons. 

With scoring at a premium in the NHL, the Leafs cannot simply give away Robertson just to give him a shot somewhere else. Treliving has to get back either some significant draft capital (Toronto does not have a 1st, 2nd, and 4th in 2026, and a 1st and 3rd round pick in 2027) or a young player that fits better with Berube’s structure. 

The Leafs only lineup change against the New York Rangers on Thursday will be Anthony Stolarz making his fourth start of the season. Cowan will once again slot in on the right side of the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.