Major dilemma on the trade block in Toronto!

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a decision to make and it could get messy. According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Leafs are intent on hanging onto winger Nick Robertson, which could mean shipping out veterans David Kämpf or Calle Järnkrok instead.

General manager Brad Treliving has been working the phones all summer, looking to fill the offensive hole left by Mitch Marner’s blockbuster sign and trade to the Vegas Golden Knights. With the roster tight against the cap, Toronto likely needs to move one or two forwards before the season begins. Kämpf and Järnkrok’s names keep popping up in trade chatter, but some teams may prefer the younger, cheaper Robertson.

If the Leafs get their way, Robertson stays. At 23, he’s got a decade on Järnkrok and six years on Kämpf, plus untapped offensive potential. Despite receiving depth minutes at 5-on-5 and little power-play time, Robertson has shown was he is capable of in a Maple Leafs’ uniform. And Toronto remains hopeful, but Johnston wonders if that’s the right call to hold on to him:

“The Leafs could still ship out one or more of Kampf, Jarnkrok or Robertson before the season begins; they’ve been reluctant to part with Robertson because of his age-related upside and ability to put the puck in the net.

“Just 19 players from the 2019 NHL Draft have scored more career NHL goals than the 53rd pick. And Robertson has done that while receiving depth minutes at 5-on-5 and limited power-play usage.”

If Toronto can’t land a top-six forward before October, Robertson could find himself on the third line with Nic Roy and either Bobby McMann or Dakota Joshua. Alternatively, he could be a fourth-line spark plug alongside Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz, though that would mean more defensive duties.

The Leafs know what they’ll get from Kämpf and Järnkrok. With Robertson, the future is uncertain. but it might also be bright. That’s why, for now, Toronto seems ready to gamble on youth, even if it means a shakeup elsewhere on the roster, and miss out on a better return on the trade market.