NHL insider provides significant update on the Nick Robertson situation in Toronto
If Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving doesn't want to move his 2024 first round pick for a short-term rental, the belief has always been that a prospect - preferably NHL-ready - would have to be the core piece of any deal. Easton Cowan is currently untouchable, Fraser Minten is a close second, but a player like Nicholas Robertson has been mentioned countless times. Now, with the latest announcement regarding Robertson's demotion, there's been a lot of speculation that he'll be dealt before Friday's deadline.
The Maple Leafs activated forward Calle Jarnkrok off the injured reserve ahead of their game against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. Robertson had to deal with the brunt of that move as he was demoted to the Toronto Marlies in a subsequent transaction, a tough pill to swallow as the only other player on the roster aside from Matthew Knies who is waivers exempt. Many thought this could be the end of a rocky tenure that was marred by injuries, but Elliotte Friedman believes otherwise.
During the second intermission of the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast last night, Friedman went through a rapid-fire session talking about a multitude of topics, including why Robertson was sent down in the first place:
"They traded for Lyubushkin, who is playing tonight, I still think they're looking for another defenseman and see what else is out there. Nick Robertson got sent down to the American Hockey League to make room for Jarnkrok, the Maple Leafs informed Robertson it was purely because he does not need waivers and he shouldn't expect a long-stay in the American Hockey League, he's still in their plans to come back this season."
According to Friedman, Robertson is still a part of the future plans and his stay with the Marlies won't be long-term. The trade deadline is only 5 days away with a lot of big name targets still on the chopping block. Robertson's name will be mentioned a lot in the meantime as Treliving and company look to finalize their roster ahead of the annual postseason festivities. However, it seems likely that he remains a member of the Maple Leafs after all.
Robertson has scored 8 goals and 19 points in 41 games this season after having potted just 3 goals and 7 points in 31 games across his previous 3 seasons with the big club. He may not be in the playoff lineup for Game 1, but if he is kept around, he'll get his shot to help the team in the postseason, as they anticipate a longer run this year than in previous seasons.
| POLL | ||
3 MARS | 543 ANSWERS NHL insider provides significant update on the Nick Robertson situation in Toronto If it came down to it, would you rather keep Nick Robertson or the 2024 1st round pick? | ||
| Keep Nick Robertson | 157 | 28.9 % |
| Keep the 2024 1st round pick | 321 | 59.1 % |
| We can probably add without moving either | 65 | 12 % |
| Move them both for a huge piece | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
