The Toronto Maple Leafs are constantly making moves. Between settling contract differences with the likes of Nick Robertson, to wishing they could add a second-line center or elite offensive defenseman, there is always something to upgrade. Adding a player who can provide a ton of offense would be the ideal scenario.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Maple Leafs acquire Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars. This potential move would bring in the offense they so desperately desire, especially after Mitch Marner‘s sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the summer.
Maple Leafs Acquire:
- Jason Robertson ($7,775,000)
Stars Acquire:
- Morgan Rielly ($7,500,000)
This proposed deal has blockbuster written all over it. The Maple Leafs receive a game-breaking first-line talent while the Stars get a defender who can pitch in offensively and give Dallas a dangerous-looking defense group.
Toronto receives Robertson, the 39th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-3, 207 lb forward is coming off back-to-back 80-point seasons. The 26-year-old recorded 35 goals while averaging 17:48 over 82 regular season games. He added six points in 11 playoff games.
The Stars would add Morgan Rielly, a strong offensive blueliner who has been working on his defensive play more. The 31-year-old left-handed defender was drafted fifth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2012. The 6-foot-1, 225 lb defender recorded 41 points in 82 games this past year.
Maple Leafs Add Proven Goal-Scorer
Robertson is in line for a massive raise in his next contract. AFP Analytics reports that his next contract could be in the neighborhood of $11,544,000 for eight years. Robertson currently makes $7,775,000 for the rest of this season.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes that the Stars need to be careful with how they handle Robertson, given the goal-scoring that he can provide.
“What are the Dallas Stars willing to pay Jason Robertson on a long-term extension? That’s the big question here,” Kypreos wrote. “Robertson has one year left on his contract and, if unsigned, would become an RFA next summer. At that point, he’d be one year away from being a UFA in 2027 and could get there through arbitration.”
“Needless to say, the Stars would rather not go down that path.”
Kypreos also cites speculation on what the potential ask is from Robertson’s camp on his next contract.
“Given Mikko Rantanen is making $12 million against the cap, and the upper limit is still on the rise, how high will the Stars be comfortable going on Robertson?” Kypreos continues. “The feeling has been that the ask could be to match Rantanen’s AAV. Robertson scored a career-high 46 goals and 109 points two years ago, but has finished with 80 points two years in a row. He scored 35 goals this past season.”
Robertson has scored 168 goals in 374 career NHL games. That makes him an easy candidate to insert into the Maple Leafs’ top-six.
Maple Leafs Finally Give Rielly His Fresh Start
Is this the year that Rielly is traded? If the Maple Leafs can add someone of Robertson’s calibre, is that worth trading away Rielly?
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has Rielly at the bottom of his trade board this summer. David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok are also on the said trade board.
“Rielly has a full no-movement clause and controls his fate,” Pagnotta wrote. “During his exit interview with the media in May, Rielly said he hadn’t thought about leaving Toronto, but speculation across the league suggests the Leafs may explore a move.”
If the Maple Leafs are indeed exploring a move that would see Rielly sent out of Toronto, acquiring one forward who can make up for the offense lost by trading Marner seems like a slam-dunk transaction.
Could Jason Help the Other Robertson?
Jason is the older brother of Nick Robertson. Nick hasn’t been given the fairest of opportunities with the Maple Leafs. Is it possible that the Robertson brothers could find themselves playing on a line together? Could that be what Nick needs to reach his full potential?
The brothers haven’t played on the same team in their careers. Having Jason on the same team, and even the same line, might be the spark that Nick needs for a breakout season. In the very least, an opportunity to play with his brother might make Toronto the destination of choice for Jason.
The Maple Leafs currently have $1,919,722 in salary cap space.
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