The Detroit Red Wings are drafting and developing their way back to playoff contention under Steve Yzerman‘s guidance. The addition of John Gibson to work in tandem with Cam Talbot has them poised to improve on their defensive numbers.
Heavy.com proposed a trade that would have the Red Wings deal from a position of strength to address an area of weakness. This potential deal sees them acquire RFA forward Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Red Wings Acquire:
- Nick Robertson
Maple Leafs Acquire:
- Trey Augustine
The Red Wings pick up a forward who can contribute to the top nine right away. The 23-year-old forward was drafted by the Maple Leafs 53rd overall in 2019. The 5-foot-9, 178 lb winger was underutilized in 2024-25, averaging 12 minutes a game during the regular season. He accumulated 22 points in 69 games.
In this proposal, the Red Wings give up Trey Augustine to the Maple Leafs. Augustine was the Red Wings’ 41st-overall selection in the 2023 NHL entry draft. The 6-foot-1, 183 lb goaltender is playing in the NCAA and has not signed an entry-level contract (ELC). In 30 games for Michigan State, he posted a record of 19-7-4 to go along with a 2.08 goals against average (GAA), a .924 save percentage (SV%), and three shutouts.
Adding Augustine gives the Maple Leafs another goaltender who can be a solid NHLer one day in the next couple of years.
Red Wings Can Pay Robertson What He Wants
Robertson is the last RFA not to have settled with his respective team before his arbitration hearing date. The 23-year-old was tendered a one-year qualifying offer for the Maple Leafs to retain his rights during this process. The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd.
The young forward isn’t entitled to a huge pay raise, but the cap-strapped Maple Leafs only have $2.92 million in available space to strike a deal. In comparison, the Red Wings have just over $12 million available to spend.
Yzerman is actively looking at all of his options. The Red Wings GM spoke to reporters after the opening few days of free agency. He revealed some of the considerations currently being mulled over.
“We’ve got 12 players (forwards) signed right now,” Yzerman said. “Do we sign another one to have that 13th forward? Or do we leave that spot open and see if something comes up here over the summer? Or leave it open and let all those guys earn that spot?”
They are open to bringing another forward into the mix if it makes sense. Robertson makes sense as a player with top-six potential.
Max Domi and Bobby McMann were Robertson’s most common linemates, accounting for 29 percent of his even-strength ice time. He recorded eight of his 20 even-strength points as part of that trio.
Right now, the Red Wings’ top-six forward group consists of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Marco Kasper, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and James van Riemsdyk. JVR’s spot is the logical place to deploy Robertson if a deal were to transpire.
Red Wings Have Sebastian Cossa on the Cusp
Augustine is a great goaltender who has won two World Junior Gold Medals with Team USA. Luckily for the Red Wings, he isn’t the only one who can find an NHL job soon.
Sebastian Cossa is the heir-apparent for the starting goaltender position. The 6-foot-6, 229 lb, 22-year-old netminder spent the last season in the AHL. The 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft boasted a 2.45 GAA, a .911 SV%, and one shutout with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The 22-year-old is still at least one or two years away from being an NHL goaltender. However, he’s closer than Augustine is. That gives the Red Wings the flexibility to make this deal.
From a salary standpoint, acquiring Augustine doesn’t cost the Maple Leafs any salary right now. All they need to do is ensure they have the salary to sign him if they want him to play in the NHL at the end of the 2025-26 season.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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