The talk throughout Toronto Maple Leafs training camp surrounded Fraser Minten and Matthew Knies, but the best of the bunch could be Nick Robertson.
There’s been plenty of debate about Nick Robertson and whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs should trade him. It’s a fair suggestion based on his previous health concerns and the fact that the team would need to include a high prospect to acquire top talent, but why would they consider it?
Based on his waiver exemption, it made the most sense to send Robertson down at the start of the season, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t get called up.
Based on Minten’s contract, he can play nine NHL games before the team has to burn a year of his Entry Level Contract, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him sent down and Robertson called up. Or, if the team just wanted to give themselves the most offensive talent possible, they could recall him and send Jarnkrok or Domi to the fourth line.
Toronto Maple Leafs Should Call Up Robertson Immediately
After a few games, I’ve seen nothing to suggest that Domi deserves top minutes. Meanwhile, Robertson has been electric, once again, at the AHL level thus far. Through two games, Robertson has five points (2 G, 2 A) and has looked tremendous. He’s clearly an NHL caliber player and the team needs to call him up immediately.
I know that health is a big concern with Robertson, but I’d rather see him play and eventually get hurt than trade him at this point. Realistically, what would he really fetch in a trade to make it worth it?
Do we seriously think that a package of (for example) Robertson, TJ Brodie and a first-round pick will fetch a top-two defenseman? Probably not.
Since Robertson is only 22-years-old, I’d rather give him a shot with the Leafs in the top-six and see what he can do for a full year before trading him. And, if he gets hurts, once again, then you can finally move on from him.
I know you’re thinking that it would be dumb to watch him leave after he gets hurt again, because his value would drop, but this player has so much upside that it’s worth keeping him in-case he doesn’t get hurt.
Hopefully the team can find a roster spot for him sooner than later because he’s just too good for the Toronto Marlies and deserves a spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs.