Confirmed deal : Maple Leafs Expected to Trade Pending Free Agent Forward Report

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to move forward Nick Robertson before the trade deadline, according to Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne. The 23-year-old has struggled to secure a consistent role in Toronto and was linked to a potential trade as early as last offseason when he requested a trade from Toronto before signing a one-year, $875,000 contract to remain with the Maple Leafs. Now, Bourne believes Toronto will look to move him, and he explained the situation in a column published on Sportsnet on Friday. “I believe Robertson is not just an NHL player, but that he still has the potential to be a 20-to-25 goal scorer in the league,” Bourne wrote. “I also believe it won’t happen with the Leafs, because there’s no room in the top-six, and no room on the power play.

 

 

“If someone is going to head out, he makes the most sense.” Robertson has played 44 games this season, recording eight goals and four assists while averaging 12:13 minutes of playing time. Despite showing flashes of offensive potential at times, Robertson has been a healthy scratch at different points and remains limited to a third-line role. “When Toronto gets healthy, it gets very hard to get into their lineup,” Bourne wrote. “They’ll literally only use Robertson on the third line. If at all. “Maybe he’s on such a cheap salary that he comes out of the press box as needed. But, if someone is going to head out, he makes the most sense.”

 

Robertson has been listed as the No. 24 player in The Fourth Period’s Trade Watch written by insider David Pagnotta, which was updated on Sunday. Pagnotta linked Robertson to the Anaheim Ducks, the Dallas Stars, and the Seattle Kraken as prospective suitors. “The Maple Leafs want to upgrade their mid-six and have continued to dangle Robertson as trade bait. He could be packaged up in a move for an upgrade as Toronto has its sights set on chasing a Stanley Cup.