Would Nick Robertson, of the Maple Leafs, Consider Playing for the Golden Knights?

One team that has been discussed as a potential destination for dissatisfied forward Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the Vegas Golden Knights. Since Robertson has become increasingly disgruntled with his lack of playing time over the years, he has requested a trade from the Toronto Raptors, and he is a pending restricted free agency. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes the Golden Knights would be a good fit for the 22-year-old, who supposedly has no intention of signing another deal with the Maple Leafs.

If Vegas were to land Robertson, it would strengthen their bunch of forwards playing in the middle of the field. Robertson would be far closer to home than in Toronto, and the Leafs would be content with one of the Golden Knights’ second-round picks (they hold all three second-rounders in the next three drafts), according to Proteau’s writing. If the Leafs trade for a good prospect instead of a draft pick, the trade would benefit both teams. Vegas would get a player with 20–25 goal scoring potential without reducing their NHL roster, while Toronto would get rid of a disgruntled veteran and make room for a promising youngster like Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. This is the type of arrangement that frequently occurs in the top league of hockey, when both teams benefit,” Proteau explained.

Given that the Golden Knights lost Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Anthony Mantha to free agency, a move to Vegas would be a reasonable one. So, Robertson is a potential sixth-string striker that Vegas should add to their roster. Robertson has only played in 87 regular season games over the course of four seasons, despite being picked 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL draft. He has 17 goals and 17 assists for a total of 34 points in 87 games.