Toronto Maple Leafs young winger Nick Robertson has reportedly requested a trade and Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes the Vegas Golden Knights would be a great destination for him.
Toronto Maple Leafs young winger Nick Robertson has reportedly requested a trade and Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes the Vegas Golden Knights would be a great destination for him.
At just 22 years old, Robertson has played in 87 career NHL games scoring 17 goals and 34 points. The former 2019 second-round pick has been tormented by injuries throughout his professional career and is why he hasn't played more games with the Maple Leafs.
The 2023-24 season was the best season of his young career, seeing him play 56 games and score 14 goals and 27 points.
Robertson has requested a trade because of the lack of ice time he's received and his frustration with being sent down to the minors or healthy scratched very frequently.
Currently, the Maple Leafs haven't said they will be moving Robertson as they are likely looking to fix the relationship before exploring a trade. With Craig Berube coming in to be the head coach, maybe he sees a different role for Robertson that former HC Sheldon Keefe didn't see.
Proteau has this to say when explaining why the Golden Knights could be a good fit:
"The Golden Knights are currently over the salary cap ceiling, but that hasn’t stopped proactive GM Kelly McCrimmon from making major moves before. And landing Robertson would give Vegas a boost in their middle-six group of forwards. The Leafs would be satisfied with one of the Golden Knights’ second-rounders (they have all three second-rounders in the next three drafts), and Robertson would be much closer to home than he is in Toronto."
"The Leafs might settle for a decent prospect instead of a draft pick, but whatever the case may be, Vegas would be adding a potential 20-25-goal-scorer without taking anything off the NHL roster, and Toronto would dispose of an unhappy camper and open up a roster spot for a youngster such as Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. It’s a win-win for both teams, and that’s the kind of deal that often gets made in hockey’s best league."
The Pasadena, California native has a wicked release, likely one of the league's best shots and he isn't afraid to use it. He can beat goaltenders in a variety of ways. He uses a heavy wrist shot that he can place in the top corner or down low, a lethal one-timer that he loves to use off of the rush and a quick snapshot that he is able to elevate when he is in tight.
Robertson and current Golden Knights prospect Brendan Brisson have quite a few similarities. Their offensive game is built around their shot but how they get to shooting situations is different. Robertson is a great skater with a lot of speed but is on the smaller side, only listed as 5'9. Brisson on the other hand isn't as good of a skater as Robertson but has a bigger frame that can get him into better spots on the ice.
Robertson's scoring touch would be a massive boost the the Golden Knights' top six and could fit in nicely alongside playmakers like Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl and Mark Stone. He is an RFA and is currently in need of a contract.
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