Maple Leafs Learn the Asking Price to Acquire Jason Robertson
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs certainly could use Jason Robertson for their top-six and according to analyst Sean Shapiro, the price is definitely reaching a steep amount.
There's been a lot of speculation this summer regarding Jason Robertson, who is going to need a new contract but might end up costing the Dallas Stars too much, so they may be willing to dangle him.
The Maple Leafs are expected to at least pursue the star forward, and their connection runs deep given his bother Nick also plays for the Leafs.
It would be a great story that not only may spark the younger Robertson, but allow Jason to really blossom into a star (no pun intended).
Robertson, 26, had 35 goals and 45 assists last season for the Stars, and has a stellar 394 points in 374 games (168 goals, 228 assists).
Why Knowing the Price Matters for Toronto's Trade Strategy
However the price isn't going to come cheap, and with the team lacking the true premium assets in order to make a deal a foregone conclusion; it's going to take a lot of creativity.
According to The Sick Podcast - The Eye Test; a hockey-themed podcast, analyst and host Sean Shapiro believes that Dallas has entertained offers but they are going to want something pretty hefty in return:
Yes, the Stars did look at what a return could be on Jason Robertson; it was always gonna be either for a roster player...or...part of some other bigger move.
Well if the Stars want a roster player, there are certainly a few that the Leafs could potentially put together in a package for Robertson however they may need to stack the deck.
It could end up starting with Matias Maccelli going the other way; he would fit the youth and NHL-ready criteria, but there's also a chance that Toronto could put a big package involving three or four players.
For instance, here's a potential deal that could see Robertson come to Toronto:
To Toronto:
(F) Jason Robertson
To Dallas:
Dallas gets themselves a proven 20-goal scorer in McMann, whose late blossoming career could end up giving him a longer shelf life. Carlo heads out and gives Dallas a solid shutdown defender who can move up and down the lineup, is fairly cheap and under control.
Jarnkrok can give the Stars a cheap depth option who can play the bottom-six, has a solid two-way game, and will cost next to nothing. The picks speak for themselves as Toronto is clearly mortgaging their future to win now.
What Jason Robertson Could Bring to the Maple Leafs' Offense
Plus that now gives the Maple Leafs an incredible lineup that rivals any top ones in the league today:
Knies - Matthews - J. Robertson
Domi - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - N. Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - Pezzetta
Their defensive logjam also gets a bit of a relief as well:
Rielly - Myers
McCabe - Tanev
Benoit - Ekman Larsson
This allows Philippe Myers to come in and solidify himself as Rielly's partner (where they had success) and he's still got a ton of potential himself. It's a very deep lineup that combined with stellar goaltending should be able to make another Atlantic Division title run.
Robertson gives the Leafs not only a potential 40+ goal scorer in addition to Auston Matthews, but also provides the defensive game that they lost with Mitch Marner's departure and he's still only 26.
The issue will be his next contract, but with the Leafs having over $20-million in space next season, and some of their worse deals off the books, they can certainly afford to keep him.
So it would behoove Brad Treliving to put forth his best effort for Jason Robertson. Yes, it's going to be expensive, but it's absolutely worth the price.
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