Leafs Trade Idea Has Robertson in a Proposal to Ease Rielly's Heavy Load
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
A new trade proposal from analyst Nestor Quixtan has the Maple Leafs trading away Nick Robertson in order to give Morgan Rielly a much needed defensive hand.
With a lot of discussion about how Morgan Rielly is going to do this season after a dismal 2024-25 season, it seems that the best course of action is for him to forget all about it and come back stronger and being the offensive catalsy Toronto needs.
However there are still concerns about regression and if he can handle the offensive load nowadays, as he seems a step or two behind. He has Brandon Carlo to help him out, but overall it's an aging blue line that needs some youthful injection.
Toronto Sells On Hype; Adds Young Defender In New Trade Proposal
So if the Maple Leafs were still on the fence about Nick Robertson, then perhaps they can dangle him to bring in a sidekick for Rielly, and add some much needed youthfulness to the squad.
According to an article from analyst Nestor Quixtan, he believes the Leafs should cut ties with Robertson and bring in New Jersey's Seamus Casey to help out.
Quixtan explains his reasoning as to why Casey makes sense:
Seamus Casey is a right-shot blue liner with a considerable offensive upside. He registered four goals and eight points in 14 games last season. He's a bit undersized at 5'10» and 181 pounds, but then again, Casey's role isn't as a shutdown defender.
The Maple Leafs could find a very good fit for Casey as an eventual replacement for Morgan Rielly. Since Casey is a right-shot, he could play well with someone like Simon Benoit on the third pair as he adjusts to a top-four and a top-two role.
Adding Casey now would be a preemptive move. It would be like thinking several moves ahead, especially if the Leafs are serious about moving Morgan Rielly at some point down the road.
The Maple Leafs could find a very good fit for Casey as an eventual replacement for Morgan Rielly. Since Casey is a right-shot, he could play well with someone like Simon Benoit on the third pair as he adjusts to a top-four and a top-two role.
Adding Casey now would be a preemptive move. It would be like thinking several moves ahead, especially if the Leafs are serious about moving Morgan Rielly at some point down the road.
Right-handed shot? Check. Only 21 years old? Check. Offensively gifted, physical to a degree and smart defensively? Check, check and check.
Why Toronto Should Seriously Consider Seamus Casey
He fits all the boxes except being 6'2 or taller, and while he might not initially fit the size requirement, the Leafs really have no other puck movers and need someone to help Rielly out.
You're asking Oliver Ekman-Larsson to help out offensively; a 34-year old third-pairing defender who isn't the type of player he used to be. With questions about Robertson's fit in the lineup, as he may be on the outside looking in; why not sell on the hype and find Rielly's replacement?
Casey, 21, had 8 points in 14 games last season (4 goals, 4 assists) with a plus-3 rating and zero penalty minutes.
This way, you can have Ekman-Larsson as your seventh defender and put him with Simon Benoit; and Toronto can potentially move on from OEL if they need to at the deadline or at some point this season.
These types of players don't come around often, and while Robertson has every chance to succeed and be that offensive star the team always hoped for, they have a great amount of young forwards who can fill that role.
They don't have a replacement for Morgan Rielly; so they should really get on that sooner than later.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 1281 ANSWERS Leafs Trade Idea Has Robertson in a Proposal to Ease Rielly's Heavy Load Would you trade Nick Robertson for Seamus Casey? | ||
| Yes | 623 | 48.6 % |
| No | 658 | 51.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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