Welcome to another exciting edition of NHL Rumours, where the buzz continues to swirl around the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s a relief that this time the trade talks don’t involve Mitch Marner! The latest rumour making waves is the potential trade destination of disgruntled Toronto Maple Leafs LW Nick Robertson to Vegas. It has been suggested that this could be a “win-win” situation for both teams. However, General Manager Brad Treliving has made it clear that there are currently no plans for a trade, as he hopes to resolve any issues with the 22-year-old player. But what is the real crux of the situation according to Proteau?
If Victor Olofsson can find his high-level scoring touch that he displayed in Buffalo three seasons ago, this supposed gap in the trade scenario could actually turn into a hidden advantage. This alone should be enough to dismiss the rumours and let them fade away. Especially when considering the second part of Mr. Proteau’s argument…
At first glance, recent trade history might suggest that a trade for Robertson could see the Maple Leafs come out on top. The New York Rangers acquired Reilly Smith for a second-round pick, while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals traded away 3rd round picks for Jake Guentzel and Jakob Chychrun, respectively. However, a closer look reveals a potential stumbling block: Ivan Barbashev.
If Barbashev were to go to the Maple Leafs, he would fill a need for a top-6 forward, especially with Bobby McMann dealing with a lingering lower-body injury. McMann’s injury dates back to the end of last season and has yet to fully heal. Given the choice between McMann and a player with two Stanley Cup rings and over 200 career points, Brad Treliving would be wise to explore the possibility of bringing the Russian winger on board.
In the end, this rumour may simply be hot air that fizzles out before coming to fruition. However, it does offer some intriguing speculation to ponder as we count down the days to the Preseason opener against the San Jose Sharks. These offseason rumours provide a mix of drama and hypothetical scenarios to keep hockey fans engaged and entertained.
The speculation that the Leafs would be content with a second-round pick in exchange for Robertson may seem surprising, but in the unpredictable world of the NHL, anything is possible. Let’s continue to follow these rumours and see where they lead us as we eagerly await the start of the new season.
As we await more news and developments in the NHL trade market, one thing is for sure – the offseason is always full of surprises and never fails to keep us on our toes. Let the speculation continue as we eagerly anticipate the upcoming season.
