Another Maple Leafs forward linked to the Vegas Golden Knights?
Yet another Maple Leafs star is being linked to the Vegas Golden Knights for a potential trade. Who is this mysterious superstar?
It seems something is rotten in the Maple Leafs organization. Yet another star has been linked to the Vegas Golden Knights in a potential trade. With the rumors swirling around Mitch Marner moving, the team might have a major shake-up on their hands. Could it be another 57 seasons before Toronto tastes the glory of the Stanley Cup?
As for the player in question, that would be Nick Robertson. The young forward is 22 years old and scored 14 goals last season, making him a lucrative piece for any contending team. Currently, he's a restricted free agent whose agent is... Pat Brisson.
That name should sound familiar to Golden Knights fans, for he's also the agent for prominent Vegas players, past and present. That includes Nic Roy and Jonathan Marchessault. He's also the father to prospect, Brendan Brisson, a former first-round pick who's close to cracking the lineup.
But let's go back to Robertson for a second. The 22-year-old is looking for a new home and could fit in Las Vegas. Making a move for a younger player isn't something new, either. The Golden Knights traded Paul Cotter and a draft pick for Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid, getting younger in the process.
So what does Nick Robertson (not the baseball player) do well? How can he make the Vegas Golden Knights better on the ice? It seems Vegas is becoming the de facto location for Maple Leafs rumors. Therefore, let's explore how the forward can become a vital piece for the Golden Knights.
Nick Robertson's profile
The 22-year-old player is the brother of Dallas Stars forward, Jason Robertson. Therefore, it's safe to say he's got some hockey chops to his name. That's especially true with Toronto, where he was a key part of their offense. With a team featuring players like Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, that's a great thing.
While he doesn't have much of an NHL pedigree to his name yet, he made his living during his amateur days. That's specifically with the Peterborough Petes, where he had his best season in 2019-20. Here, he scored 55 goals and 31 assists... in 46 games. That's an astounding mark for a budding star, especially at a young age. However, he's been stuck in neutral because of a deep Toronto lineup and a series of injuries.
With more playing time, he can become a regular contributor for the Vegas Golden Knights. He has some playoff experience, starting in 2019-20 during the COVID-19 period. He scored a goal in four games during his campaign, which might not sound like much for a player. However, it gave him NHL-ready experience that can translate well for the Golden Knights.
What makes Nick Robertson good for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Being 5'9" and weighing 178 lbs. doesn't provide much for an NHL star. What can a player do as a defensive piece aside from adding bulk? Jonathan Marchessault dealt with the same problem. Therefore, he had to develop into a bona fide sniper, which earned him a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe trophy. That's how he became the franchise leader in almost every statistical category.
That could be the same thing for Nick Robertson, who's also diminuitive. However, he's shown himself to be an incredible playmaker. He has terrific puck handling tendencies and can become valuable on the man advantage. With Vegas historically struggling on the power play, they can use a proficient player like Robertson.
He's also great with his offensive zone starts and has a high hockey IQ. Seeing the play unfold and acting accordingly is his specialty. With a quick rush and solid release, he drives the play effortlessly. That's enough to make him a lucrative trade target for teams like the Golden Knights.
The verdict for the Maple Leafs star
Currently, Robertson doesn't have any arbitration rights to his name, which means he must either get a trade or an offer sheet. While he does sound like a nice acquisition for Vegas, he does have an injury history. Therefore, Vegas should proceed with caution.
Still, it could be a nice pickup for Vegas if they're willing to move ahead with building their roster. Kelly McCrimmon isn't afraid to make his roster younger and this would offer him the perfect opportunity. With Robertson's hockey pedigree making him a nice player, he might be a good pickup for the Golden Knights.
However, it seems the Vegas Golden Knights are comfortable with their current lineup. With McCrimmon alluding to younger players within the organization taking on bigger roles, it seems Vegas is done adding... for now.
McCrimmon said there are young forwards that they believe can step into bigger roles this year, and that this is the price of winning a Cup. You have players out perform their salary, and then they go get paid.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) July 2, 2024
It sounds like the Golden Knights are pretty much done adding.
Still, it's worth noting that nobody expected Vegas to make a big move during the trade deadline. They made three, with two players staying with the team for the long term. Could Vegas Golden Knights fans see Nick Robertson head to Sin City? Crazier things have happened.
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