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

That was a good one Zezel.

If those are the options, go with a Marlie.
- Monkeypunk

If those are the options, go with a Marlie.
- Monkeypunk

anyone sticking out down there as far as you know?

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.
- Scabeh

Robertson is not better than Zadina, yes you got that right.

If those are the options, go with a Marlie.
- Monkeypunk

Steeves is too slow, he’s not an NHLer.

Grebenkin is a possibility but can’t just hand him the spot.

They didn’t sign bellows for some reason.

The Marlies options aren’t good enough.

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.
- Zezel

I saw this argument from Oiler fans about Holloway leaving. "He had the chance to play with the best player in the world!"

No. He didn't. He had the chance to be on the same team as the best player in the world. In his entire career - in any situation - he has played 76 minutes with McDavid.

Nick Robertson, in his entire career, in all situations, has played 43 minutes with the best goal scorer of his generation.

Robertson is a shooter - putting him with Matthews is also a little too redundant. Now keeping Matthews with Domi and putting Robertson with Marner? Increase the kid's value and you have an asset for the team.

Holloway left for money and greater opportunity - but he wasn't going to get it with McDavid. Nick Robertson, I think, just wants to be given the chance to play. He doesn't even need to play with Matthews.

And I need to emphasize that I don't think Robertson is _that_ good. I really don't. I don't think keeping him moves the needle that much, so this is a decent offseason discussion, but really . . . his value should be a net positive if given the opportunity, and ultimately I believe he could turn his trade value from a 4th back into a 2nd - which would get us both what we want.

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.
- Zezel

Agreed for the most part.
But more ice time will probably improve his skills over than less ice time....unless he is actually getting added on one of the top two lines on the leafs....which he probably wont in the beginning.

new blog everyone

Steeves is too slow, he’s not an NHLer.

Grebenkin is a possibility but can’t just hand him the spot.

They didn’t sign bellows for some reason.

The Marlies options aren’t good enough.
- Santo_44

Neither are Zadina, Van Riemsdyk or Pacioretty. These guys are 4th liners with no upside at this point - and yeah, I am lumping 25 year old Zadina into that pile. I'm not saying he sucks. I don't have to. His stats do that for him.

But if those guys are the options we should just look in house and not bother. At absolute best, give them a PTO.

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.
- Zezel

Nah. Completely disagree.

Being around a Top 3 player doesn't automagically produce results. He doesn't play on AM34's line and certainly watching a goal-scoring God do stupefying things isn't contagious to any degree.

If anything, playing with a bunch of stars on a contending team actively limits your ability to have chances to shine: you won't get optimum PP time, your chances on being promoted to a Top 6 / primary offensive role will be limited unless there are major injuries or you go on an unreal heater.

So no, it ain't "self-evident" at all.

Nah. Completely disagree.

Being around a Top 3 player doesn't automagically produce results. He doesn't play on AM34's line and certainly watching a goal-scoring God do stupefying things isn't contagious to any degree.

If anything, playing with a bunch of stars on a contending team actively limits your ability to have chances to shine: you won't get optimum PP time, your chances on being promoted to a Top 6 / primary offensive role will be limited unless there are major injuries or you go on an unreal heater.

So no, it ain't "self-evident" at all.
- mjones242

Yeah I mean on this team he could go on a tear and he still wouldn’t get PP1 time. PP2 on Toronto is usually 30 seconds of a 3rd line speedy domi or Jarnkrok scrambling into the zone to get one setup going.

Maybe what he wants is an opportunity for PP time.