Canadian Team RFA Emerges as Possible Trade Target for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Maple Leafs are once again listening to offers on Nick Robertson, one of their RFAs, and the Pittsburgh Penguins could be very interested in his services per Kelsey Surmacz.
As part of one of his objectives at the end of the 2024-25 season, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas planned for the "execution" of the rebuild.
Part of the plan is the attempted signings of young RFAs, players the other franchises can't afford or simply want off their lineup.
Here comes Nicholas Robertson. The 22-year-old winger finds himself in this exact boat for the Toronto Maple Leafs. For the second consecutive season, his future with the club is in the balance.
Nick Robertson is heading to arbitration as the two sides couldn't agree on a contract
Having been extended a qualifying offer by the Leafs, one that has been refused by him, Nick Robertson now heads to arbitration, something that was not available to him last July.
The options being slim in Toronto and the forward core being deep talent wise, an environment shift would suit Nick Robertson. He posted 15 goals and 22 points last campaign in 69 games, sporadically used in the lineup, though.
His talent is compelling, more for the kind of roster that Pittsburgh has. Robertson was signed by Dubas in 2019, so the talent is known to him. No offer sheet is at play in the situation, but room for a trade exists.
Two third-round picks is considered fair value to acquire the young forward. Robertson would not cost that much and would fit in the middle-six in Pittsburgh, or the top-six if the likes of Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust are traded.
He's the kind of low-risk, high-reward bet Pittsburgh needs to make to bring in talent. Bringing in Robertson to Pittsburgh appears to be a no-brainer. Sometimes you need to say "why not", and take a chance on someone.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 142 ANSWERS Canadian Team RFA Emerges as Possible Trade Target for the Pittsburgh Penguins Should the Penguins try and acquire Nick Robertson? | ||
| Yes | 104 | 73.2 % |
| No | 38 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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