Could Nick Robertson Be Toronto Maple Leafs Big Deadline Acquisition?

The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to make a big acquisition at the NHL Trade Deadline this year, but could it come from within?

After missing three months of action, Nick Robertson is back with the Toronto Marlies. The 20-year-old is the still the most anticipated prospect in the system and many Toronto Maple Leafs fans would love to him with the big club soon.

At 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, Robertson has always been undersized but he’s tremendously skilled.

Drafted 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, it looked as if the Leafs hit the jackpot with that selection, as Robertson scored 55 goals and 86 points in 46 OHL games the season after getting drafted. The anticipation was through the roof for the youngster and he lived up to some expectations later that summer when he scored a goal during the Leafs play-in game against Columbus.

Those four play-in games were supposed to be the start of a long NHL career, but it’s unfortuantely not gone as planned. Since then, he’s only played six NHL games, but more pressing is the fact that he’s only played 24 AHL games.

Whether it was the pandemic or injuries, Robertson had a very hard 2021, but he hopes that 2022 will be his year, as shown below:

"“The whole year of 2021 was pretty much downward and upward. Now that the new year, 2022 is here, I’m trying to make this my year and move forward and kind of put the injuries past me and do what I can do,” said Robertson (via: Nick Barden: TheLeafsNation.com)"

Could Robertson Get Called Up to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

After breaking his leg in October, it’s great to see Robertson back with the Marlies. In his first game back with the squad, he had two shots on net and recorded zero points (via: AHL.com).

After a slow first game, Robertson followed it up with a two-goal performance on Saturday afternoon, with one of those goals being the game-winning tally.

When you look at the Leafs roster, their left-wing position and depth scoring is something they could upgrade. As a result, Robertson could fit both of those needs.

With the NHL Trade Deadline set for March 21st., Robertson has six weeks to prove to the Leafs that he should be in their playoffs plans this season. If he can show that he’s ready for a promotion, it could give the team a big boost down the stretch.

If Robertson is 100 percent healthy, he could really help this roster down the stretch and be a Cole Caufileld type call-up that makes an impact in the biggest moments.