Nick Robertson isn't a happy camper right now. He's looking to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs and play hockey elsewhere since he still doesn't have a new deal. One might ask the following:
"Why would Robertson want to leave Toronto? They're a competitive franchise who needs one or two pieces to win the Stanley Cup."
While that might seem true on the surface, there are deeper, underlying issues with his current situation. For one, the Maple Leafs only have $1,275,333 in non-LTIR cap space to work with. Considering they're trying to retain Mitch Marner for the long haul, it makes matters complicated for the young winger to return.
The restricted free agent could be a logical fit with the Vegas Golden Knights, given the team lost Jonathan Marchessault in the offseason. It could give Vegas more depth at the wing position and open the contention window further. Plus, he has some hockey pedigree with his brother, Jason, being the unequivocal leader of the Dallas Stars.
But does it make sense for the Golden Knights to acquire Robertson? Do they have the space to give him a new deal? The gymnastics behind acquiring the forward might be more complex than one thinks... or not. Let's explore if it's reasonable for Vegas to pursue another young star.
Exploring what the Toronto Maple Leafs star, Nick Robertson, would bring to the Vegas Golden Knights
Nick Robertson is a talented forward. He's got solid upside as a goal-scorer and can provide an offensive boost on the power play. Last season, he scored one goal and two assists on the man advantage, giving the group some bite. Considering the Vegas Golden Knights haven't had much success on the unit, his presence will be welcomed with open arms.
But there are some problems with his game. For one, he's undersized, standing at 5'9" and weighing 178 lbs. The Golden Knights pride themselves on adding size and bulk to their lineup, pushing their opponents around physically. That's part of why they're the tallest team in the NHL (and tied for the heaviest with Boston). Considering their style contrasts with the Toronto Maple Leafs, it might not be a logical fit, style-wise.
There are also issues with his skating, where he tends to lag behind the competition. The good news is he's 22 years old and this is something he can develop over time. He could be the logical replacement for Jonathan Marchessault, especially since he's much younger.
Is it worth going after Nick Robertson?
The Vegas Golden Knights don't have much cap space of their own to work with. With LTIR included, they sit at $1,360,017, leaving them little room for an offer. They have the same problem the Toronto Maple Leafs do, which would make working a long-term offer hard.
Plus, it seems like Kelly McCrimmon is set with his current roster. The group already has enough upside as it stands, especially on the wing. Names like Pavel Dorofeyev and Alexander Holtz could provide ample scoring for Vegas in the coming years. That's something that could help the team grow down the line.
Still, the thought of adding two wingers with upside sounds enticing and could make the Golden Knights competitive for years. Imagine Robertson and Holtz playing on the same line and taking over the point. It would make the franchise dangerous in many aspects, keeping them at the top of the food chain. Besides, you can never have too much of a good thing, right?