The Toronto Maple Leafs must follow the Nashville Predators’ lead: Trade a disgruntled prospect sooner rather than later.
Earlier this month, news broke that goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov had asked for a trade out of Nashville. The request presumably was the result of the Preds extending current starting ex Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Fantasy Juuse Saros to a massive eight-year extension.
While it’s understandable why Askarov requested a trade, the way things transpired is something the Leafs must learn from. Nashville GM Barry Trotz promptly found a trading partner in the San Jose Sharks. Trotz dispatched the young goaltender off to California, netting a healthy return in the process.
As such, the underlying lesson here is: Don’t let a trade request linger long enough for it to fester. The bad blood can spread throughout the team, creating bad optics. Brad Treliving’s reluctance to part with Nick Robertson has done exactly that. The negative optics have taken away from the largely positive steps the Leafs have taken this offseason.
Why Haven’t the Toronto Maple Leafs Moved Nick Robertson By Now?
This question jumped to the forefront of my mind when the Columbus Blue Jackets finally moved Patrik Laine. Columbus GM Don Waddell wanted to move on from Laine, removing a distraction from his clubhouse.
Of course, the Laine saga was much more complex than Robertson’s situation, as it has been reported that Laine nixed some potential trades. That being said, the Blue Jackets shipped Laine out of town relatively quickly.
So, why haven’t the Leafs gotten rid of Robertson by now?
If Treliving believes he can get Robertson to change his mind and sign in Toronto, Treliving is being naïve. Once a player requests a trade, he’s as good as gone.
Now, if Treliving is holding out for the best possible deal, well, I’m sorry to say that ship has sailed. At this point in the season, there is very little chance that Treliving can fetch a good return for Robertson. Perhaps the Leafs are holding their breath, hoping that a training camp injury may lead to a club desperate enough to overpay for Robertson. Personally, that’s wishful thinking.
While the simplest answer is usually the right one, I will go out on a limb here: The Leafs haven’t moved Robertson because they want to make an example out of him. Leafs management wants to send a message that players won’t hold the club hostage.
That attitude could be a veiled message to impending free agents. Anyone who thinks they can twist the team’s arm is mistaken. If that’s the case, the Leafs have chosen the wrong time to play hardball. If we were having this conversation following a Cup victory last season, it would be fine. The Leafs would be in a position to dictate terms.
But after the public embarrassment of John Tavares, the softball additions, and the failure to secure a number-one starting goaltender, it seems that poor Nick Robertson got caught in the crossfire of a team suddenly looking to offer some “tough love.”
This situation seems like one of those parents who spend years spoiling their kids, and then, suddenly, one day, the parent realises their kid needs tough love.
That strategy has never worked.