The Toronto Maple Leafs will have some intriguing roster decisions to make, but one player put a stamp on him remaining on the roster.
With Scott Laughton set to return from injury soon, the Maple Leafs will likely have to send someone down or make a trade. Easton Cowan could be sent down, while Nick Robertson has been mentioned in trade rumors.
Yet, after Robertson returned to the lineup on Saturday, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube gave him a positive outlook on his future.
“Willy was out, so I put Robby up there,” Berube said. “He did a good job, he added energy to that line with his speed, (and) he ended up scoring a big goal for us, which is great. He did a good job coming in.”
Robertson got a shot in the top six and made the most of his opportunity, showing that he can produce when given the chance.
So, with the Maple Leafs having some looming roster decisions, Robertson may have shown he deserves to be in the lineup and have a top-six role.
Robertson signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension with the Maple Leafs this offseason.
Maple Leafs Have Shopped Robertson
Robertson has struggled to be an everyday player for the Maple Leafs. But he’s showing why he deserves more ice time.
Yet, with Robertson being a scratch at times, his name has come up in trade rumors, according to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger.
“The 24-year-old finds himself one more time in a very familiar spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s hoping for a larger role, opportunity in the National Hockey League,” Dreger said on Insider Trading.
“He’s pushing 160 NHL games. I know that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has recently talked with clubs that may have some interest in Nick Robertson. Given the depth that the Maple Leafs have, it’s a tough spot for Robertson. So maybe it’s time to give him a fresh start somewhere else.”
Toronto reportedly tried to trade Robertson to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Yegor Chinakov, but that idea was shot down.
Robertson has recorded 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points in 8 games this season.
Analyst Urges Toronto Not to Trade Robertson
Although Robertson’s name has come up in trade rumors, NHL analyst Nick Kypreos believes he shouldn’t be dealt.
Instead, Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs need to hold onto him, as the mid-round pick they would get for him isn’t worth it.
“I’m not trading Nick Robertson,” Kypreos said on Real Kyper & Bourne. “All of a sudden, there is a lot of talk of Nick Robertson. Think about this for a second. Why do you want Nick Robertson being traded right now? Why?..
“What are you trading him for? The fourth-rounder does what for me? There is no reason right now that you should just give Nick Robertson away,” Kypreos added. “You’re giving up depth for a fourth-round pick, which is useless to me. I’ll tell you what he does: he makes my team faster. My team gets slower when he leaves for a fourth-round pick. He’s still young, he’s energetic, he’s fast, and he can still shoot a puck. But I really want a fourth-round pick, you are not getting anything back for him, I’m not giving up death, I’m sorry.”
Whether or not the Maple Leafs will still shop Robertson is to be seen. But, when Nylander got hurt, it was Robertson who seized the opportunity in the top-six.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Maple Leafs Coach Gives Nick Robertson Positive Outlook Despite Trade Rumors appeared first on Heavy Sports.