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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Forward Nick Robertson

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Nick Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Calgary Flames in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Nick Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Calgary Flames in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent forward Nick Robertson to the AHL, where he will start the season playing for the Toronto Marlies.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are keeping Matthew Knies, Fraser Minten, and Bobby McMann (who cleared waivers).

Robertson is only 22 years old, but it’s not fair to say that he’s starting to get passed over by other prospects in the system – he probably would have made the team if he wasn’t one of the only candidates who didn’t have to clear waivers to be cut.

Robertson will become a restricted free agent (RFA) after this season. He needs to stay healthy and productive to prove himself to the Leafs and other NHL teams. I have been a Robertson supporter since the Leafs first drafted him in 2019. Every season, the question of whether or not he’ll make the Leafs comes up. Sadly, whenever Robertson finds any momentum, he gets hurt.

His entire NHL career so far has been one injury after another. I think the Leafs have been very patient with Robertson. The Leafs seem like they’ll do everything they can to help Robertson succeed, but that success might come with a different team.

Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade Nick Robertson

Robertson has produced well in the AHL but has never found consistency in the NHL. He has 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 51 AHL games.

In the NHL, Robertson has seven points in 31 games – though to be fair, he has good underlying numbers and he’s never really been able to be a consistent part of a lineup. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)

It may be wise for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to explore the trade options for Robertson. See if another team is willing to give Robertson a chance to play in the NHL regularly.

According to Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet, one team that could be interested in Robertson is the Philadelphia Flyers. Friedman points out that the Flyers have shown interest in Robertson before and could still have interest if Robertson stays healthy.

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For some, trading Robertson might seem crazy, but it could benefit both the Leafs and Robertson. Until then, we’ll see how well he performs for the Marlies in the AHL. The Marlies begin their regular season on October 14th.

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