In a recent report from the Leafs Nations , Shane Seney makes an honest case for why he believes that the Toronto Maple Leafs should move on from their young forward Nick Robertson.
The article talks about how GM Brad Treliving has some business to take care of before the start of the season. Trading Robertson should be a priority for him because he’d likely be able to get another NHL forward in return.
The hard part about trading Robertson is that his trade request was made public. This means that every GM in the league knows he wants out of Toronto, and therefore the asking price that the Maple Leafs have set out is lessened.
Why would an NHL GM pay a large price for Robertson when he is a disgruntled player within the organization? It truly takes all of the leverage away from the Maple Leafs.
If Treliving can find a return that is similar to his offensive output but can offer head coach Craig Berube a bit more, then it could be a win-win.
A name that should be at the top of Treliving’s list is Alex Toropchenko from the St. Louis Blues. Berube is familiar with him from his time with the organization, and he brings what the Maple Leafs want in their bottom six.
Even if the Maple Leafs need to offer a lower-end prospect to get a deal across the finish line. They can’t have a frustrated forward like Robertson re-sign and not give his full effort on a nightly basis. That would lead to even less leverage for them in a trade.
There are also internal options to replace Robertson, like Easton Cowan. If he can make the lineup out of training camp, it helps take some stress off Treliving to find an NHL-level forward as a return in a trade.
They may be more comfortable parting with Robertson for a few mid-tier picks, which they can then use to restock the prospect cupboards over the next couple of NHL drafts.
Either way, Treliving needs to trade him before the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. With that said, if Cowan can break onto the scene, it gives him options on his return.
Credit: The Leafs Nation