Where Maple Leafs Winger “Could Go” in a Trade Nicholas Roberts

A difficult path led Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson to the NHL. After a series of injuries that hampered his NHL career, the 22-year-old hasn’t fit as a top-six forward in Toronto. Thus, nobody were surprised when Robertson requested a trade last week. He plainly doesn’t see a long-term fit with the Leafs, and his frustrations have driven him to want out of the organisation that chose him No. 53 overall in 2019. If the Leafs and Robertson can’t reconcile, where can he be traded to benefit both teams and the player? Here are some possible destinations for him:

#1. San Jose Sharks Robertson is from California, and the Sharks need aid everywhere. Would Leafs GM Brad Treliving accept a second-round pick and a mid-tier prospect from San Jose, which the Leafs don’t have until 2027? This move saves the Leafs cap room, allowing them to make other roster changes, and the Sharks gain a young player to go with Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Robertson would presumably want to play closer to home, and the Leafs wouldn’t be tormented by him if they traded him to a divisional opponent.

#2. Columbus Blue Jackets The Blue Jackets are in the early stages of another massive reconstruction, thus the roster will be fluid. If Columbus GM Don Waddell trades veteran forward Boone Jenner, Robertson would have less pressure in a quiet hockey media area like Ohio to make the Jackets’ top six. Toronto would receive a premium draft pick and possibly a good prospect. Robertson started over in Columbus, and the Leafs only played the Jackets twice a season. Toronto replenishes their draft capital and Columbus adds Robertson 3, a valuable long-term player.

#3. Vegas Golden Knights The Golden Knights are over the salary cap ceiling, but proactive GM Kelly McCrimmon has made big moves previously. Robertson would strengthen Vegas’ middle-six forwards. One of the Golden Knights’ second-rounders (they have all three in the next three drafts) would satisfy the Leafs, and Robertson would be closer to home than in Toronto. The Leafs may settle for a decent prospect instead of a draft pick, but Vegas would add a potential 20-25-goal-scorer without moving anything off the NHL roster, and Toronto would release an unhappy camper and make room for Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. A win-win for both clubs is common in hockey’s top level.