The Toronto Maple Leafs have turned things around and could look to be buyers at the trade deadline.
Toronto has won five of its last seven games, but has gotten a point in all seven, as the two losses were in overtime. With the recent surge, the Maple Leafs are now two points back of a playoff spot. Due to the recent success, Toronto could look to bolster its roster.
NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet believes the Maple Leafs have talked about trading for Dallas Stars star forward Jason Robertson.
“As we know, the Leafs are really limited with the assets they have to pull off a big trade. … One idea floating around the league is a bigger swing involving Dallas — specifically Jason Robertson. Contract talks there haven’t been smooth, where Robertson is believed to be looking for north of $12 million a year, more than what Mikko Rantanen got,” Kypreos wrote on Wednesday.
“That’s not an easy number for the Stars. Toronto could pay it, but the question is the cost of acquisition. Cowan, Ben Danford, plus more — likely an off-season conversation rather than a deadline one — but it’s the kind of move that would actually change the Leafs’ makeup. Whether they have the stomach for it is another matter.”
The Maple Leafs trading for Robertson would be a major surprise, as it would push Toronto all-in again. But the Maple Leafs could use some more offense. And if he is available, perhaps Toronto will acquire him to unite him with his brother in hopes of him signing a long-term deal.
Robertson is in the final year of his four-year, $31 million deal.
Robertson’s Name Nothing New to Trade Rumor
It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Robertson’s name come back up in trade rumors.
Entering the offseason, Robertson was a popular name coming up in trade talks as he was entering the final year of his deal. His future with the team was uncertain, and a key reason was his contract.
Former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton believes Robertson’s number will come right around Rantanen’s.
“I’ve got to think it’s right around Mikko Rantanen’s number, right? This is a guy that you have to pay, and again you look at their cap space and where they’re at, they can get it done,” Hutton said on Dec. 2. “It’s more going to be about their projection long term and what they see him being.
“Because my worry is if you don’t get him under that eight-year cap right now while you can, he takes maybe that small, two-or-three year window, and then god knows what you’re going to have to pay him because the cap is going up.”
Whether or not the Stars want to pay Robertson that much is to be seen. But the star forward is having a stellar season, as he’s recorded 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points in 43 games.
Maple Leafs Turning Things Around
Toronto is starting to play better and is now in the playoff push.
The Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, which was a big win for the team. Head coach Craig Berube, meanwhile, was impressed with the team’s effort.
“Well, it always means a lot playing against Florida or Tampa,” Berube said postgame on Tuesday. “You create some rivals against these teams from playing against them in the playoffs last year. It was similar to when Ottawa came in here. Those games are intense, and it is going to be intense. We know that. … Everybody had a part in it tonight, which was good. We needed that.”
Toronto will return to the ice on Thursday on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Maple Leafs Linked to Making Stunning Move for $31M Star Amidst Winning Streak