Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours from the crew at Last Word on Hockey. We are just eight days away from the start of the preseason. Teams are settling in to see exactly where they stand in terms of their roster and make any final adjustments to their rosters that they see fit. The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to add some offence to their lineup, but they’re also open to moving out some pieces as well. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on just that.
All NHL rumours come from their original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs May Move Young Forward
Rumour: According to Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show, the Toronto Maple Leafs are open to moving forward Nicholas Robertson.
Analysis: After signing Robertson in the offseason, the Maple Leafs may still be inclined to move on from the young forward. As we mentioned in a recent article, the Leafs have been looking to upgrade their top-six forward group. Specifically, their top line. For the Leafs to have any interest in moving Robertson, they must truly believe he isn’t the answer to fill this hole that was left by Mitch Marner. Which, who could blame them? Robertson hasn’t quite lived up to the hype that he had when entering the league. He’s bounced back and forth between the NHL and AHL before finally sticking around full-time this past season. Robertson produced decent numbers, scoring 15 goals and 22 points in 69 games.
Change of Scenery Needed?
Coach Craig Berube was interviewed by Jonas Siegel of The Athletic and Siegel asked specifically about Robertson’s position with the team. Berube was quoted as saying, “There’s a lot of competition at camp. I’ll leave it at that. There’s a lot of competition at camp, which is great. I think it makes for a competitive camp and that’s what we want, because that’s gonna get us more prepared for the regular season. I don’t have the answer to that right now. There’s jobs available and again, it’s a competition. You gotta come in and play your ass off and earn a spot.”
This spells bad news for Robertson’s chances with the team. They already brought in Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua and Michael Pezzetta, and they’re still rumoured to be looking for another top-six player. Not to mention, prospects like Easton Cowan and other roster players like Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf still fighting for roster positions; there’s no room for the smaller, inconsistent play of Robertson. While he has certainly proven the ability to score, he’s shown he’s rather one-dimensional, which is not the type of player the Leafs need right now.
That doesn’t mean Robertson has no place in the NHL. He certainly does, and teams would certainly love to take a chance on the 24-year-old who plays a scrappy game and can score. Just doesn’t seem like the Maple Leafs are the team that he is likely to finish the season with.
Trade Incoming for the Leafs?
When there’s smoke, there’s fire. With the rumours of them looking to improve the top six and the rumours of Robertson being on the block, one could only assume that Robertson’s days with the club are numbered. Whether it’s in a package deal to get that top-six player they’re looking for or for futures to give the team more wiggle room within their cap, we’ll wait and see. However, it looks like the Nicholas Robertson era in Toronto is soon to be concluded.
Main Photo: David Banks-Imagn Images
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