The Toronto Maple Leafs have 3 players on the current roster they need to move

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to make three big trades, to get under the salary cap

Montreal Canadiens v Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens v Toronto Maple Leafs | Claus Andersen/GettyImages
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No. 2: Nick Robertson

I don't think the Leafs should trade Robertson, but based on the construction of this line-up, Robertson needs to go. I hate to admit it because I actually think he brings more value than downside, but he's not scoring at a great enough clip to justify a roster spot.

That said, the Leafs biggest problem is depth scoring, and Robertson, though he has been snake-bitten this year, he brings more offense to the team than any other player in the bottom-six. That said, there's too many players on a healthy Leafs roster who could take his job. Whether it's Minten, Domi, Pacioretty or Grebenkin, there are just too many options for Robertson to feel safe.

Grebenkin has quickly established himself as a fan-favourite and his 6-foot-2, 210 pound frame and ability to score goals is going to make him an NHL player eventually, but as we've recently seen, the Leafs scratched him and then played Ryan Reaves, so they clearly don't think he's ready.

Robertson is running out of time, even with his potential. If your best attribute is your shot and ability to score goals, and you can't do that, then you're essentially useless.

I don't think Robertson should be a perennial AHLer or anything like, but I think he needs to go play for a bad NHL team and play in the team's top-six. If he plays top-six minutes and PP1 time, his productivity will skyrocket and that confidence will come back. I don't know how many times I can say that his game isn't suited for the bottom-six, but here we are.

If Robertson isn't given a top-six opportunity, they need to trade him immediately before his trade value hits zero.

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