Maple Leafs Could Trade Nick Robertson to Blue Jackets
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be on the verge of trading Nick Robertson after he declined a contract extension, with the Columbus Blue Jackets emerging as a potential destination, according to Adam Proteau of The Hockey News.
Robertson, who became a free agent on July 1, is seeking a new opportunity outside of Toronto. Proteau writes, “The Blue Jackets are in the early stages of another major rebuild, which means there’s still going to be some jumbling within the roster. If Columbus GM Don Waddell deals veteran forward Boone Jenner, a spot in the Jackets’ top-six would open up, and the pressure on Robertson would not be nearly so onerous in a quiet hockey media market like Ohio.”
Trading Robertson could benefit Toronto, potentially netting them a high draft pick and a decent prospect. Robertson, 23 at the start of the 2024-25 season, has yet to reach his full potential.
Landing in Columbus would provide Robertson with a fresh start, and the Leafs could acquire a point-scoring center by getting Jenner in return. Jenner tallied 35 points in 58 games during the 2024 season and has consistently scored in the past three seasons, with 44, 45, and 35 points respectively.
Nick Robertson Declines to Re-Sign with Leafs
NHL insider Chris Johnston reported on June 30 that Robertson has no plans to re-sign with the Maple Leafs and has requested a trade. Speaking after the first day of free agency, Leafs GM Brad Treliving acknowledged Robertson’s frustration but highlighted the opportunity available to him in Toronto.
“Obviously, I have known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player. There’s great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us,” Treliving said.
Robertson, drafted No. 53 overall in 2019, has struggled to secure a consistent spot in the Maple Leafs lineup, playing only 87 regular-season games since the 2020-21 season, with 17 goals and 17 assists. During the 2023-24 season, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists in 56 games but did not register a point in six playoff games.
In an April 11 interview with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, Robertson expressed uncertainty about his future with the Leafs, saying, “It’s my first [negotiation]. I can’t say I’m worried about it now; I don’t even know how this process works. But I haven’t heard anything. I just play. It’s kind of nice knowing that [my agent will deal with it], though. I want to play and let him worry about that.”
Should the Maple Leafs Consider a Boone Jenner Trade?
Acquiring Boone Jenner could be a strategic move for the Maple Leafs to address key roster needs while resolving the Robertson situation. Jenner, a 31-year-old veteran forward and former second-round pick, has spent 11 years with the Blue Jackets, scoring 364 points in 715 games. He is versatile, contributing both offensively and defensively, and scored 22 goals with 15 assists in 58 games during the 2023-24 season.
Jenner’s physicality and faceoff skills could bolster the Leafs’ depth and fit well within new head coach Craig Berube’s system. However, the salary cap is a significant factor, as Jenner’s $3.75 million cap hit would require adjustments from the Leafs, who have only $955,333 in cap space as of July 12, according to PuckPedia.