Mitch Marner’s shocking trade shakes Leafs Nation as Nick Robertson trade buzz grows louder | NHL News
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ offseason has taken a turbulent turn, with the franchise still reeling from another early playoff exit. But it’s not just the loss to the Florida Panthers that has fans restless — it’s the massive shake-up that followed. Mitch Marner, one of the team’s cornerstone stars, is no longer wearing blue and white. His sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights — where he inked an 8-year, $96 million deal — sent shockwaves through Leafs Nation.
Nick Robertson emerges as trade rumor target amid identity crisis
While the Leafs received Nicolas Roy in return, his bottom-six forward role is no match for the offensive engine that was Marner. With 102 points last season and 741 over his nine-year career in Toronto, replacing him isn’t just hard — it’s nearly impossible.“Mitch Marner was far more than a point scorer… he carried the team’s offensive burden night after night,” the article states.As the team begins to recalibrate, another name is surfacing — Nick Robertson. A recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast lit up speculation when insider Elliotte Friedman said: “I had a couple people ask me about the possibility of Nick Robertson and Pittsburgh; Kyle Dubas knows him…”Dubas, now at the helm in Pittsburgh, drafted Robertson in 2019 and may see untapped potential in the 24-year-old winger. Robertson has battled through injuries but showed glimpses of promise, posting 27 points in 56 games in 2023–24 and returning healthy last season.With his recent one-year, $1.2 million deal, the Leafs seem to be keeping doors open. But the bigger question is: are they investing in his growth, or simply boosting his trade value?
Can Nick Robertson fill the Mitch Marner-sized hole — or is he being set up to fail?
While Nick Robertson lacks Mitch Marner’s pedigree, his cost-effective contract and improving form make him an intriguing piece. Whether the Leafs see him as a long-term asset or a short-term solution remains unclear.Also Read: Carter Hart’s NHL future in limbo as Elliotte Friedman blasts return rumors post-Hockey Canada verdictIn a cap-crunched, expectation-heavy city like Toronto, hope is never cheap — and patience, even less so.
