With the trade deadline only days away, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be selling off some of their trade assets. While forward Nick Robertson doesn’t necessarily fall into a ‘selling’ category and would be much more of a ‘hockey trade’, with how head coach Craig Berube is utilizing the 24-year-old winger, it may be time for Toronto to finally give Robertson a change of scenery.
The former second-round pick can’t find consistent minutes under Berube and has been in and out of the lineup all season long. When he’s in the lineup, Robertson’s hasn’t been able to carve out a consistent role for himself, which is partially the head coach’s fault, and so far in 57 games this season, the speedy winger has scored 12 goals, and 26 points.
Robertson’s averaging 12:27 of ice-time per game, which is a career high across parts of six seasons with the franchise, which right there, could be a tell-tale sign. Robertson was recently a healthy scratch Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. as Berube stated before the game he felt Robertson’s game has fallen off the past couple of weeks leading up to the Olympic break and felt he needed a reset.
From reset, to starting a new chapter, here’s five potential trade destinations for Robertson:
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have surprised many this season with how well they’re playing and Kyle Dubas loves to acquire players he’s familiar with. Robertson could give the Penguins some secondary scoring, and since Dubas has left Toronto, he’s evolved his game under Berube to be more aggressive and physical, which is certainly part of the frustration considering how coachable he is, and how he’s become much more of a complete player.
The Penguins have $47 million in cap space, so money won’t be an issue here, and they’re also loaded with draft picks over the course of the next three seasons. Treliving has to be careful only banking picks and future considerations, especially with how fast the organization wants to turn things around, but landing a 2026 second-round pick or a prospect could be an enticing trade offer.
Ben Kindel won’t be going anywhere, so no pipe dream there, however, the Maple Leafs should inquire about Avery Hayes, a 23-year-old rookie, who has had a very strong season posting 19 goals and 30 points in 36 American Hockey League games.
New York Islanders
The Islanders will be aggressive before Friday’s trade deadline, and they need more offense. Robertson would give them another speedy winger, who is versatile to play both sides of the ice, and his shot is certainly something the Isles could use more of on their power play.
New York is in a playoff spot, despite being ranked 21st in goals per game, and 31st in power-play efficiency. They’re desperate for more scoring and could be open to adding Robertson, who at just $1.85 million AAV, and a pending restricted free agent, is certainly an interesting trade target.
Is Anthony Duclair someone the Islanders would try to pawn off to Treliving? It better include a first-round pick sweetener if that’s the case, as he’s signed for two more seasons at $3 million AAV. 22-year-old former London Knight defenceman Isaiah George is someone who the Maple Leafs could have interest in. George’s is having a fine season in the AHL, posting two goals and 15 points in 38 games.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings better not sit on their hands again ahead of this season’s trade deadline, as Steve Yzerman didn’t do much last season, and captain Dylan Larkin called him out for it. Robertson would be a great addition to the speedy Wings team and they, like the Islanders, are a playoff-bound team with trouble putting the puck in the net.
Detroit’s reportedly very interested in Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, so they could have some bigger fish to fry here, but if they wanted to add around the edges instead, Robertson could be a great fit. Yzerman has his 2026 second-round pick, and that’s certainly something Treliving should be asking about.
As far as prospects go, what if this trade turned into more than just Robertson heading to Motown, and the Leafs acquired former first-round pick Marco Kasper. Kasper, 21, burst onto the scene last season for the Wings, scoring 19 goals and 37 points in 77 games, however this season, has only recorded six goals and 15 points, in 60 games.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks aren’t interested in players with significant term and money on their contract, as GM Pat Verbeek is prioritizing extensions for his current young core, but with Robertson being an RFA, and not expected to break the bank on an extension, he makes sense for the goal-hungry Ducks as a 2026 trade candidate.
It doesn’t hurt that Robertson is from California and this would certainly be ‘doing right by the player’. The Ducks are in a playoff spot, which has surprised many, and they could use some secondary scoring on their wings, so the fit makes complete sense.
Verbeek has three 2027 second-round picks, but Treliving can’t wait that long to wait for prospects to develop, his job depends on it. So, if the Maple Leafs move Robertson to Anaheim, a 2026 second-rounder is a must, and/or a solid prospect like Sasha Pastujov, a 22-year-old forward, who has collected 12 goals, and 37 points in 52 AHL games.
The Ducks also have disgruntled defenceman Pavel Mintyukov, who’s been linked to trade rumors all season long and could be someone Treliving inquires about. Mintyukov has flare to his game and a ton of untapped potential, and with his two-way game, could be a great fit for the Maple Leafs to help reshape their blueline.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are fighting for their playoff lives and will be looking to upgrade up front ahead of Friday afternoon. Robertson could be a perfect target with his versatility and the fact he’s not just a rental.
Seattle has cap space, they have prospects and picks to move and Treliving’s done business with them over the years, so could easily circle back to facilitate something this week. If Robertson heads out west, could the Leafs zone in on Shane Wright, if they included Bobby McMann and Brandon Carlo in the trade package? Wright would give the franchise a young stud to help lead the next wave of core players in Toronto, and an offensive right-handed centre, which they’ve craved for years.
Yes, Wright’s going to cost a ton, so perhaps the stars won’t align here, and if so, Treliving could have interest in 21-year-old right-handed defenceman Ty Nelson. Nelson, a Toronto native, is a former third-round pick who has put up 24 points in 47 AHL games. Nelson has potential to be a top-four defenceman, and can contribute on the power play, which is something the Leafs desperately crave within the organization.
At the end of the day, Robertson asked for a trade a couple of seasons ago, had a tough contract negotiation the following summer, and now can’t find a consistent role on the Maple Leafs. If Treliving gets an offer that gives the Maple Leafs NHL talent to audition for the rest of this season and into next year, he should do right be the player here, and send Robertson off to the next chapter of his career.
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