Five Golden players have now signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with each paying $50 million per month.
The Vegas Golden Knights are being discussed as a potential destination for dissatisfied Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson. Robertson, a pending restricted free agent, has requested a trade from Toronto after growing upset with his lack of playing time over the years. The 22-year-old apparently has no plans to sign another contract with the Maple Leafs, and Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes the Golden Knights are a good fit for him. Landing Robertson would strengthen Vegas’ middle-six forwards. The Leafs would be content with one of the Golden Knights’ second-round picks (they hold all three in the next three drafts), and Robertson would be much closer to home than he is in Toronto.” Proteau The Leafs might settle for a decent prospect instead of a draft pick, but whatever the case, Vegas would be gaining a potential 20-25 goal-scorer without taking anything off the NHL roster, and Toronto would dispose of an unhappy camper and open up a roster spot for a youngster such as Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten. It’s a win-win for both teams, and that’s the kind of deal that often gets made in hockey’s best league,” Proteau added. A trade to Vegas makes sense, given that the Golden Knights lost Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Anthony Mantha in free agency. So Vegas has to add another skilled forward to their top six, which Robertson can do. Robertson was picked 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL draft, however he has only appeared in 87 regular-season games over parts of four seasons. In 87 games, he has 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. Although Robertson has requested a trade, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has stated that he does not want to sell the 22-year-old. Treliving sees Robertson as an essential member on their squad and wants to re-sign him for the 2024-25 NHL season.