Maple Leafs May Target Star via Trade to Replace Mitch Marner Following New Report
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could flip the script and look to potentially acquire Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars after a new report gives doubt to his future.
Star forward Jason Robertson (no pun intended) could be a potential trade candidate this summer, as Dallas tries to figure out an extension with his free agency looming; which means Toronto should be knocking down Jim Nill's door.
Toronto could turn the tables; acquire Jason Robertson to play with Nick
There's been several rumblings around the league that if the Maple Leafs wanted to potentially acquire former forward Mason Marchment from Dallas, it might end up costing Nick Robertson as part of the return; a hopeful way to keep Jason in town.
But what if Toronto were to add the siblings instead?
Robertson has been an elite forward with the potential to be a bonafide superstar in the NHL, and his emergence over the past four years has been remarkable.
In 320 games over the past four seasons (a mark of his durability), Robertson has 348 points (151G, 197A), a plus-82 rating, 28 game-winning goals, along with 44 power play goals.
Those numbers are just slightly under Marner's production over the same span, but Robertson kinda has him beat in the postseason department.
While Marner does have 63 points to Robertson's 46; he's done it in 14 more games, and Jason has more goals in that timeframe as well.
He's also a few years younger than Marner, and locking him up long-term would make Toronto a deadly force for years with the potential to have Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, William Nylander, Robertson, and Easton Cowan all be elite at the same time.
The cost to acquire Jason Robertson however, might be astronomical
Jim Nill is not an idiot, and he knows that if he decides to trade Robertson before he commands a huge pay increase then his return needs to be spectacular.
It's hard to see Toronto acquiring him for anything less than two mid-high level prospects as well as a few draft picks. It might be a bit easier to part with some pieces if Robertson commits to being here (so long as his brother is too).
But besides Cowan, who Toronto would more than likely hold onto still, they could end up trading one of their NCAA prospects like Luke Haymes.
Borya Valis is also an option, and coupled with a prospect like William Villeneuve plus their 2025 2nd and 3rd round pick as well as 2026's 3rd rounder could be enough to convince Nill to part with Robertson.
He gets a 20-year old prospect in Valis who just scored 81 points including 34 goals, and could be a solid replacement down the line for Robertson's offense.
Villeneuve gives them a right-handed puck-moving defenseman that could be a low-level John Klingberg type player in the future.
Toronto would need to lock him up long-term, but with his type of production and not even near his prime yet; it's worth the price and it wouldn't be shocking to see him earn near $10.5M on his next deal so the team needs to make sure they are ready to commit.
But players like him don't come around often, and losing Mitch Marner might end up leading the way for Toronto to get his replacement who could end up being even better.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 507 ANSWERS Maple Leafs May Target Star via Trade to Replace Mitch Marner Following New Report Should Toronto trade for Jason Robertson and pair him up with his brother Nick? | ||
| Yes | 237 | 46.7 % |
| No | 270 | 53.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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