Three rival teams linked to Leafs’ Nick Robertson

Nick Robertson feels like he hasn’t had the opportunity to flourish with the Toronto Maple Leafs and it has been said that the young forward has asked to be traded.

Adam Proteau of the Hockey News believes that if the Maple Leafs and Robertson do not mend their relationship, three teams could be an ideal landing spot for the young winger. He suggests the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vegas Golden Knights as destinations for Robertson.

When hinting at the Sharks, Proteau starts off with Robertson being a California native.

“[T]he Sharks are in dire need of help in just about every area. If San Jose was willing to give up, say, a second-round draft pick – the Leafs don’t have their own second-rounder until 2027 – and a mid-tier prospect, would that be enough for Leafs GM Brad Treliving?”

As for the Blue Jackets, it’s been said more than once that new general manager Don Waddell is very interested in Robertson, who could get a chance on the first two lines in Columbus.

“Again, if you’re talking about what Toronto would get back in return, you’re looking at a high draft pick and perhaps a decent prospect. Robertson would get his fresh start in Columbus, and the Leafs would play the Jackets only a couple of times per season.”

As for the Golden Knights, Robertson would definitely be an affordable middle-six forward for Vegas as they attempt to regain the Stanley Cup and wouldn’t have to part with much to get a deal done, per Proteau.

“The Leafs might settle for a decent prospect instead of a draft pick, but whatever the case may be, Vegas would be adding a potential 20-25-goal-scorer without taking anything off the NHL roster, and Toronto would dispose of an unhappy camper and open up a roster spot for a youngster such as Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. It’s a win-win for both teams, and that’s the kind of deal that often gets made in hockey’s best league.”

However, the Maple Leafs aren’t in a hurry to move Robertson, who is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights, giving him little leverage. If Toronto gets the right offer, then a trade could get done.