Robertson wants to get traded away from an opportunity to play on the same team as the best goal scorer of his generation. The Leafs should work something out with Utah and hope Robertson doesn't separate his shoulder on his way out the door.

LW? I don't get it.

Domi Matthews Marner
Knies JT Nylander
Mcmann Holmberg Jarnkrok
Dewar Kampf Reaves

...add in Robertson and Cowan and Minten battling for looks.

3C is the obvious need. If they move Domi to 3C they're (frank)ed. His only good hockey is playing wing man to the big boys where he'll be sheltered.

Save your bullets and add a real 3C at the deadline if you can't snag one now.
- The Law

What it comes down to do me is that the bottom 6 there is not good. Last year we were able to put out Robertson-Domi-Jarnkrok as our predominant 3rd line. Not awesome, but they were +3. I don't have a real dispersion of minutes here, but on average using Domi as the third line centre unless he was playing with Matthews, and Tavares as the 2nd line Centre, and Kampf as the 4th line centre unless he was playing with Robertson and McMann types - or perhaps Nylander, I sort of assigned our lines out . . .

Line 1 was 68GF / 48GA in 1037 minutes (+20)
Line 2 was 45GF / 36GA in 930 minutes (+9)
Line 3 was 40GF / 25GA in 653 minutes (+15)
Line 4 was 17GF / 25GA in 602 minutes (-8)

When you take away offensive players like Robertson and Domi and replace them with McMann & Holmberg, I don't think you come close to the +15 number that was produced last year and you're going to be a marginal line for any type of meaningful production while line 4 just gets worse. I like Dewar more than Gregor but production wise it's not a distinct advantage. Reaves isn't going to be better. Who is supporting Kampf on that line? The -8 seems like something that's going to get worse.

I like our goaltending more than last year and I like our defense more than last year but they need support from the forward unit to be successful. There may be fewer goals against, but there will be significantly fewer goals for.

One scoring winger, in my opinion, changes the bottom-6 dynamic by pushing Reaves out, Jarnrkork into a supporting checking role with Kampf, and upgrades the third line with some additional offensive capacity. If that one winger is one of Robertson, Cowan or Minten - then it's perfect. Maybe Cowan is ready but he is just 19. I'm not a fan of Minten - not for offensive production, but I like his Hockey IQ and ability to be an effective 3C in the longer term.

At the end of the day I just think an infusion of some offensive skill on the third line is required.

There are a lot of RFAs unsigned, you wonder if there’s a deal somewhere.

I read today Zadina has a contract ready to be signed by another club.

Perfetti?
- Santo_44

Zadina has proven even less than Nick Robertson since joining the NHL... doubt he should be considered an option.

Perfetti will cost too much to make Winnipeg not match anyway.

Robertson wants to get traded away from an opportunity to play on the same team as the best goal scorer of his generation. The Leafs should work something out with Utah and hope Robertson doesn't separate his shoulder on his way out the door.
- Zezel

what are realistic expectation for a return for Robertson? He was a 53rd overall pick in 2019, turning 23 in just over 2 weeks.

what are realistic expectation for a return for Robertson? He was a 53rd overall pick in 2019, turning 23 in just over 2 weeks.
- Symba007

I remember Friedman said teams were offer it a 2nd at the TDL.

Not sure if that’s still on the table.

Zadina has proven even less than Nick Robertson since joining the NHL... doubt he should be considered an option.

Perfetti will cost too much to make Winnipeg not match anyway.
- Scabeh

Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes
Per my sources, there are as many as 3 clubs in discussions for F Zadina at this time. #HockeyX

Zadina has proven even less than Nick Robertson since joining the NHL... doubt he should be considered an option.

Perfetti will cost too much to make Winnipeg not match anyway.
- Scabeh

Zadina is a UFA he would be free.

And I disagree. He’s proven he can be healthy and not complain.

There are a lot of RFAs unsigned, you wonder if there’s a deal somewhere.

I read today Zadina has a contract ready to be signed by another club.

Perfetti?
- Santo_44

I would make a trade for Cole Perfetti in a heartbeat. Cheveldayoff is a pretty smart guy operating in a hard market to retain talent in. He's not giving Perfetti away. I don't know what we'd have to add to Nick Robertson to make it happen but I don't think we have it on our roster - and then we likely couldn't afford his expected AAV or bridge deal.

Zadina is a UFA he would be free.

And I disagree. He’s proven he can be healthy and not complain.
- Santo_44

Hey if that's all it takes, I can play LW no problem.

I would make a trade for Cole Perfetti in a heartbeat. Cheveldayoff is a pretty smart guy operating in a hard market to retain talent in. He's not giving Perfetti away. I don't know what we'd have to add to Nick Robertson to make it happen but I don't think we have it on our roster - and then we likely couldn't afford his expected AAV or bridge deal.
- Monkeypunk

At this point I’m pretty fine with adding Zadina, Patches/JVR to league min deals.

Trading Robertson for a pick and accruing cap space for the TDL.

If they can find a legit LW option then sweet.

I would make a trade for Cole Perfetti in a heartbeat. Cheveldayoff is a pretty smart guy operating in a hard market to retain talent in. He's not giving Perfetti away. I don't know what we'd have to add to Nick Robertson to make it happen but I don't think we have it on our roster - and then we likely couldn't afford his expected AAV or bridge deal.
- Monkeypunk

10th overall pick from 2020 (Perfetti), won't be cheap, it will cost the Leafs.

Hey if that's all it takes, I can play LW no problem.

- Scabeh

He’s scored and has talent.

My point is paying him league minimum is better than having an unsigned Robertson thinking he’s making a good career choice demanding for a trade.

I would make a trade for Cole Perfetti in a heartbeat. Cheveldayoff is a pretty smart guy operating in a hard market to retain talent in. He's not giving Perfetti away. I don't know what we'd have to add to Nick Robertson to make it happen but I don't think we have it on our roster - and then we likely couldn't afford his expected AAV or bridge deal.
- Monkeypunk

They have the pieces but I doubt they use them.

Need to hold into those assets for the TDL.

I was on the keep Robertson train…but CJ says he’s sticking to his guns.

Time to trade him for a pick or similar player.

I’d take a pick, use it at the TDL this year.

Whoever is giving him this advice is ruining his career.
- Santo_44

Lots of guys stick to their guns until they miss a paycheque. I suspect he shows up in camp unless his agent can find a deal that makes sense for the Leafs.

He’s scored and has talent.

My point is paying him league minimum is better than having an unsigned Robertson thinking he’s making a good career choice demanding for a trade.
- Santo_44

Didn't even break the 30 points mark last year despire getting plenty of opportunities in San Jose.

I think you give one of the Leafs young prospects a shot before getting Zadina.

Robertson is considerably better.

Robertson wants to get traded away from an opportunity to play on the same team as the best goal scorer of his generation. The Leafs should work something out with Utah and hope Robertson doesn't separate his shoulder on his way out the door.
- Zezel

Why would playing on a team with the best goal-scorer of this generation necessarily be advantageous for Nick Robertson?

Digressing, Nick's issue is that he is playing on a perennial contender which limits the chances he's offered to showcase his offensive skills. Having said that, he needs to shut up, keep his head down, and sign a 1-year "show me" contract.

The Leafs have no urgency here as his value - even after having a definitely-better-than-mediocre season last year - is tenuous, at best, and Robertson really has no leverage.

Hope he signs but I think the Leafs have designs on bringing in someone external to the Top 6.

Didn't even break the 30 points mark last year despire getting plenty of opportunities in San Jose.

I think you give one of the Leafs young prospects a shot before getting Zadina.

Robertson is considerably better.
- Scabeh

Yes, but he only had a few games to fill the nets of those who passed on him when on the Sharks. He'll have a lot more opportunities now.

Didn't even break the 30 points mark last year despire getting plenty of opportunities in San Jose.

I think you give one of the Leafs young prospects a shot before getting Zadina.

Robertson is considerably better.
- Scabeh

Getting opportunities on the sharks lol, like that’s supposed to help your stat sheet.

Saying he’s considerably better is just false. You can argue Robertson has more time and development to get better.

But as of last year they are on par on ice value.

Zadina is bigger and has more talent, much better passer.

Robertson has more determination.

If I’m betting on a player to have a more successful career it’s Robertson, but next season they both likely score the same.

10th overall pick from 2020 (Perfetti), won't be cheap, it will cost the Leafs.
- Symba007

I like perfetti....trade out Robertson + to get him.
Not sure what the + would be.
But do it.

what are realistic expectation for a return for Robertson? He was a 53rd overall pick in 2019, turning 23 in just over 2 weeks.
- Symba007

A bag of chips and a couple of chocolate bars. Ask for a family size bag knowing you'll probably negotiate down to an individual bag.

Yes, but he only had a few games to fill the nets of those who passed on him when on the Sharks. He'll have a lot more opportunities now.
- AdamFrench

Robertson wants to get traded away from an opportunity to play on the same team as the best goal scorer of his generation. The Leafs should work something out with Utah and hope Robertson doesn't separate his shoulder on his way out the door.
- Zezel

I made a comment yesterday in defense of Robertson's position - and I sort of get his feeling - and I also think he has to recognize that he hasn't even paid his dues yet. He might be 22, but due to injury he's had one kick at the NHL so far.

Sheldon Keefe as the coach never blamed the responsible parties. The top-6 on this team play 40 minutes / game and a guy like Robertson plays 11. Keefe often blamed the Robertson's of the team for their losses - rather than take it to the leaders who should be shouldering the blame. I don't know if he, once, blamed Tavares for anything.

Due to his waiver eligibility, Robertson did sit the first 11 games of the season. He was then penciled in for the next 24 consecutive games - with 5 goals and 6 assists - nothing too spectacular. In the three games preceding game 24 he did score a goal in 2 of the 3 games and was then sat for 2 games, came back and played a game where he scored and was rewarded with sitting for 2 more games, played a game and failed to score and was for 3 more games (So I see that as 5GP, 3 Goals, +3, and 7 games benched). Then he's inserted in 15 straight and scores 2, assists on 5 and is sat for 6 straight games. Plays 10, scores 4, assists on 1 and is sat for another couple before being inserted to end the season while they rest the veterans.

Now 2 things with this: 1. The team was .596 with Robertson and .634 without him, so there's an argument against his inclusion - but note that those final 5 games of the year that they lost had little to do with Robertson and everything to do with the Leafs chasing personal stats rather than playing like a team, and 2. Is this how you grow and encourage your youth? Benching them at times for good performance? Young like Robertson excelling - whether it be him, Knies, Cowan, Minten or whomever - is what we're going to need to manage our lopsided cap structure.

Basically I very much felt that Keefe treated his bottom-6 like garbage and coddled his top-6. I'm not sure I blame Robertson for wanting a different opportunity - but unless Treliving was onboard with that, or Berube has no interest in Robertson, they shouldn't be unable to convince him to return.

Getting opportunities on the sharks lol, like that’s supposed to help your stat sheet.

Saying he’s considerably better is just false. You can argue Robertson has more time and development to get better.

But as of last year they are on par on ice value.

Zadina is bigger and has more talent, much better passer.

Robertson has more determination.

If I’m betting on a player to have a more successful career it’s Robertson, but next season they both likely score the same.
- Santo_44

So the Leafs are hoping to sign Robertson and don't want to trade so he has a chance to play in their top 6 because they believe he can fill that role.

But he's not better than a 6th overall bust who's been dropped by two teams already, one of them being the absolute worst in the league.

Got it.

Why would playing on a team with the best goal-scorer of this generation necessarily be advantageous for Nick Robertson?

Digressing, Nick's issue is that he is playing on a perennial contender which limits the chances he's offered to showcase his offensive skills. Having said that, he needs to shut up, keep his head down, and sign a 1-year "show me" contract.

The Leafs have no urgency here as his value - even after having a definitely-better-than-mediocre season last year - is tenuous, at best, and Robertson really has no leverage.

Hope he signs but I think the Leafs have designs on bringing in someone external to the Top 6.
- mjones242

I don't know, I think the value of playing with an arguably top 3 player in the world is self-evident. You get better at anything by being around the best. I'd rather play my way into a role on a good team with all-stars on it than get a lot of ice time on a bottom feeder.

At this point I’m pretty fine with adding Zadina, Patches/JVR to league min deals.

Trading Robertson for a pick and accruing cap space for the TDL.

If they can find a legit LW option then sweet.
- Santo_44

If those are the options, go with a Marlie.