The Toronto Maple Leafs have no plans to trade Nick Robertson despite the player’s reported request for a trade. Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has expressed his desire to retain Robertson, viewing him as an essential player for the team’s future.
Treliving stated, “We look at Nick as an excellent player, and there’s a great opportunity for Nick here, and we need him to be a good player for us.” He acknowledged Robertson’s frustration but emphasized the team’s intention to move forward with the young player.
Despite the Maple Leafs’ stance, trade rumors have been circulating, with the Vegas Golden Knights mentioned as a potential destination for Robertson. The Golden Knights are reportedly interested in acquiring Robertson to bolster their forward group, especially after losing several key players in free agency, including Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Anthony Mantha.
Adam Proteau of The Hockey News suggests a trade to Vegas could benefit both teams. He proposes that the Golden Knights offer one of their second-round draft picks or a decent prospect in exchange for Robertson. This move would potentially give Vegas a 20-25-goal scorer without affecting their NHL roster while allowing Toronto to move on from an unhappy player and open up a roster spot for younger prospects.
Nick Robertson, a 22-year-old forward, was drafted 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL draft[4]. Despite his potential, Robertson’s NHL career has been hampered by injuries and limited playing time. Over four seasons, he has played in 87 regular season games, recording 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points.
Robertson is a restricted free agent and reportedly has no plans to re-sign with the Maple Leafs. His frustration stems from a lack of consistent playing time in Toronto, leading to his trade request. If he were to stay with the Maple Leafs, Robertson could potentially slot in as the team’s second-line left winger.
The Vegas Golden Knights, meanwhile, have had a relatively quiet offseason due to salary cap constraints. They currently have just over $1.3 million in cap space, which limits their ability to make significant moves. However, the potential addition of a young, skilled forward like Robertson could help address some of the losses they’ve experienced in free agency.