Nick Robertson hits the Toronto Maple Leafs with an impossible ultimatum
Nicholas Robertson's season has been nothing short of polarizing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As reported by Hockey Patrol, his preseason brilliance to trade requests and regular-season struggles, his inconsistency has left fans and analysts calling for a trade.
Yet, rushing to move Robertson could be a high-risk decision for Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs since trading Robertson might seem like a quick fix to address Toronto's lack of scoring depth or secure a much-needed third-line center.
However, his recent performance against Buffalo showed flashes of his potential and he doubled his point total in one game which is a reminder of the talent within the young winger.
Toronto's history shows that they got to be a little bit patient even if Nick Robertson isn't Tuukka Rask, it evokes memories of the Leafs giving up on a player too early on their prospect.
With the team's championship window slowly closing every year, Brad Treliving have to carefully weigh Nick Robertson's potential against the need for immediate improvements.
The unexpected chemistry Nick Robertson found with Max Domi and Bobby McMann shows promise for the bottom six and if this trio continues to click, the pressure to trade could diminish.
Given the Leafs' lack of high-value picks, trading Nick Robertson might be one of their only options to land a valuable piece.
But a trade may not be necessary if Nick Robertson and the bottom six can find consistency and patience with the 22-year-old could pay in the future.
Brad Treliving has done his homework, but the stakes are high and if Toronto must decide whether Robertson's inconsistency is worth the gamble or his potential upside outweighs the short-term benefits of a trade, then the decision will have long-lasting implications for the Leafs' future.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 280 ANSWERS Nick Robertson hits the Toronto Maple Leafs with an impossible ultimatum Do you think Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs should trade Nick Robertson? | ||
| Yes | 174 | 62.1 % |
| No | 106 | 37.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
