Maple Leafs deadline: Nicolas Roy value rises as keep-or-trade debate takes shape

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline has them looking likelier to become sellers after their third consecutive loss coming back from the Olympic break, and has led to rumors that the Leafs could deal.

As the Leafs get ready to examine all their options with the trade deadline less than a week away, with it still not clear if they will even sell, one name fans are hoping Toronto considers holding onto is center Nicolas Roy.

Having been acquired in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, Roy doesn't possess any of the offensive flair of a Marner, but his reliable game has fans believing in him, or at least being dealt for a sizable return.

Being a highly reliable defensive center who excels at the faceoff dot and the penalty kill, some fans are arguing that Roy has clear value needed for the Leafs depth.

With the Leafs fielding trade calls for their roster, could Nicolas Roy become someone dealt in the coming days? Or is he in Brad Treliving's bigger plans?

Nicolas Roy isn't one of the more discussed names on the trade block coming out of Toronto, but is one that could bring back the most value.

Roy, 29, has five goals and 20 points in 52 games this season for Toronto, but his best play comes on the defensive side of things where he has a 52.5% faceoff win rate and a staple of the Leafs second penalty killing unit.

There's more likelier trade pieces out of Toronto with more traction such as Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton, but Nicolas Roy could net a considerable return for Brad Treliving and the Leafs to look at.

As a reliable 3C option with a reasonable contract of $3-million lasting until next season, Roy could intrigue contenders looking for a bottom-six upgrade down the middle.

Although he's a player worth keeping holding on to, gaining back real value from Nicolas Roy would be a win for the Leafs having gotten him for a player on his way out.

With only days to go, it would surely take a 'wow me' deal to move Nicolas Roy, and that deal is unlikely to come in unless a team is desperate, but if he stays, Nicolas Roy would be one of the players that shines brighter next season if the Leafs can have a better year.

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