Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
NHL Insider Darren Dreger kept the Nick Robertson trade rumors afloat as he revealed that the forward has been shopped around to some interested teams.
It’s the third year in a row where we as fans are wondering just what the heck the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do with Nick Robertson.
He asked for a trade previously, threatened to go to arbitration, and clearly wants to show that he can be impactful; but the onus is also on him.
Toronto Wanting To Move On From Nick Robertson
Toronto might be getting a bit tired when it comes to the Robertson experiment and according to Darren Dreger, they are looking to cut ties.
The 24-year-old finds himself one more time in a very familiar spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s hoping for a larger role, opportunity in the National Hockey League.
He’s pushing 160 NHL games. I know that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has recently talked with clubs that may have some interest in Nick Robertson. Given the depth that the Maple Leafs have, it’s a tough spot for Robertson.
So maybe it’s time to give him a fresh start somewhere else.
The team is certainly much deeper than in years past and it goes beyond the NHL level, as the AHL team is full of NHL-ready players who are able to step in and provide the role Craig Berube needs them to provide.
Why It Makes Sense For Both Parties
Robertson’s made it clear year after year that if he doesn’t get some premium playing time he would prefer to do so elsewhere, and his squeezing of the Maple Leafs during arbitration shows that his confidence has slowly turned into cockiness.
There’s no denying the talent Robertson has, but he just hasn’t done anything of note. He’s got one assist through four games, is minus-one, has eight hits, no blocks, and six shots.
His shot selection has been good, but he just can’t score. 57 points in 160 games is not the best point-per-game average (0.35) and while he does have 32 goals; it’s when he scores is the issue.
Do we really want to wait and see if he finds his stride for a week, puts up good numbers, then falls off a cliff again?
Unlike his brother, he hasn’t shown the consistency expected of him; especially as a potential top-six option.
So it’s time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to move on from Nick Robertson. It’s not for a lack of talent, but a lack of consistent production, frustration from both sides, and no real fit, there’s no place left for him on the team.
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Insider hints at potential trade for Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson
Does Toronto just need to cut ties with Nick Robertson and trade him?