NHL Trade Idea Gives Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets Forwards Fresh Starts originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be inching closer to the end of their relationship with restricted free agent forward Nicholas Robertson.
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In Wednesday’s episode of “Daily Faceoff Live,” NHL analyst Matt Larkin offered his view of the situation and pretty much said that the time has come for the Leafs and Robertson to split ways.
Larkin floated the idea of a trade involving Robertson and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov — two players with skill, upside and murky futures with their respective teams.
“I think you have to look at the Columbus Blue Jackets and Yegor Chinakhov,” Larkin said. “It would be a good bet for the Leafs on a player with an upside, and it gives Robertson a change of scenery, something that he badly needs.”
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Robertson, a second-round pick by the Leafs in the 2019 draft, has struggled to find a consistent spot in Toronto’s lineup during his time in the NHL.
In 69 regular-season games during the 2024-25 season, Robertson had 15 goals and seven assists, but was scratched frequently and saw a downtick in production after notching 27 points in 56 games two years ago.
“He needs a team that has more confidence in him,” Larkin said. “One that won’t keep yanking him in and out of the lineupand he just doesn’t know where he’s going to be any given day, week or month.”
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson (89) and Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt during a scrum.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Last summer, Robertson formally requested a trade out of Toronto. Ultimately, he walked that back and signed a one-year, $875,000 contract.
Meanwhile, Chinakhov just requested a trade out of Columbus himself, with his agent citing issues with Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason as the main reason.
“I don’t think there’s any way he can stay in Columbus,” Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, said about his request. “I don’t see any way. (Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He’s comfortable with this city. But he’s not comfortable with this coach. It’s all about the coach.”
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Chinakhov had 15 points, including seven goals, in just 30 games played last season for the Blue Jackets. He has one year left on his two-year, $4.2 million contract.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.