Robertson requested a transfer and refused to sign a contract extension with the franchise.
Robertson wants to experience a new environment, is looking for fresh chances, and has informed the franchise of his choice not to sign an extension, thereby demanding a transfer.
Jim Parsons of R Trade Talk and The Hockey Writers believes a trade to the Dallas Stars, where Robertson’s brother plays, might be a win-win situation for both teams.
“Robertson feels he might benefit from a change of scenery. Given his treatment by the Maple Leafs, it’s understandable from his standpoint. With his brother Jason thriving in Dallas, a trade may bring the siblings together and provide Nick a new beginning,” Parsons wrote on July 20. “While I’d love to see Nick stay in Toronto, having (Mark) Leach now on board in scouting might offer the team a chance for a win-win scenario that could make everyone happier.”
In Parsons’ suggestion, the Maple Leafs would receive a couple of prospects, while the Stars would acquire Robertson. Parsons, however, did not name any specific Stars players.
“The Maple Leafs would receive a couple of prospects in this trade,” Parsons said. “In exchange, the Stars would get Nick Robertson. His scoring ability can change games, and combining him with his brother Jason might give the Stars another powerful offensive weapon. There’s every reason to assume Nick would succeed in Dallas.
According to Parson, this “win-win” move would benefit the Stars by providing them with “a promising young forward” and “enhancing their offensive depth,” while also benefiting Toronto by providing “prospects or draft picks to bolster their pipeline.”
The @MapleLeafs have extended qualifying offers to Nick Robertson, Alex Steeves, Conor Dewar and Timothy Liljegren.
The club did not extend a qualifying offer to Noah Gregor.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) June 30, 2024
Toronto Hires Scouting Director Mark Leach from Stars
On top of their free-agent acquisitions, the Leafs finalized another transaction that affected their staff. Toronto signed Mark Leach, a scouting director from the Dallas Stars, to take over as Director of Amateur Scouting.
Leach joins Toronto after spending the previous 11 seasons with the Stars. While in Dallas, Leach worked as an amateur scout for GM Jim Nill and head of scouting Joe McDonnell.
Parsons feels that this move could facilitate and lead to a deal with the Stars including Robertson.
Sources say that RFA Nick Robertson has no plans to re-sign with the #leafs this summer and has informed the team that he would like to be traded.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2024
“Given Leach’s deep knowledge of the Stars’ system and players, his arrival in Toronto could open up some intriguing trade possibilities—particularly involving Nick Robertson,” said Parsons.
Considering Leach is in no way tied to Nick Robertson,There is a likelihood that the front management will move on from the dissatisfied forward based on the recommendation of new scouting director Leach.
Given Leach’s ties to Dallas as a former employee, his understanding of the Stars’ farm system, and Nick’s brother playing for the Stars, a trade between the two organizations could be possible.
Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson Unwilling to Sign Extension
On July 1, the Leafs extended Robertson a qualifying offer. Robertson became a restricted free agent after his three-year, $2.39 million entry-level contract expired on that day.
Robertson’s trade request, however, became public through NHL insider Chris Johnston. Johnston made the announcement on June 30.
“Sources say that RFA Nick Robertson has no plans to re-sign with the Leafs this summer and has informed the team that he would like to be traded,” Johnston told reporters.
Robertson has appeared in just 87 regular-season games since the Leafs selected him with the 53rd pick in the 2019 NHL draft. He has 17 goals and 17 assists, for a total of 34 points.
On July 1, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving revealed that there have been some difficulties with Robertson, but at this time, Toronto is not considering trading him.
“I have certainly known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player,” according to Treliving. “There is an excellent chance for Nick here. We need him to be an effective player for us. I’m not going to engage in any speculation or public back and forth. We’ll simply leave it at that and continue forward.
According to PuckPedia, the Maple Leafs still have a hefty $2.4 million cap space. As of July 21, Toronto had only 20 active players on their roster. Given their $6.2 million in cap space, the Stars should be able to sign Robertson in a sing-and-trade.
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