Maple Leafs Reportedly Make Major Turnaround in Trade Plans for Robertson and Jarnkrok
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
A major change to the Leafs roster plans could be an underrated success this season as some familiar faces could be ready for a bounce back campaign.
Having been some doubts earlier in the season, Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Robertson have fought through the risk of being left out to make the team's roster.
Late injuries have changed the outlook for Toronto, and has allowed for Jarnkrok and Robertson to earn their places in the lineup to start the season after their future came into question.
Even with injuries still not guaranteeing their spot in the roster, new reports seem to suggest that the Leafs seem a lot more interested in having their depth forwards be involved this season more than some had previously thought.
What Changed Brad Treliving's Mind About Trading Robertson and Jarnkrok
According to Darren Dreger, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving reportedly is happy with the depth he has in Jarnkrok and Robertson as options, and that bit of extra experience is one viewed as a positive.
Jarnkrok and Robertson were two players both at risk of being outsiders on the Leafs roster, but injuries to Scott Laughton opened a space in the lineup, both in Laughton's departure, and Toronto sending down Easton Cowan as a result.
With Cowan's main boost for his lineup chances was in part of chemistry with Laughton, the loss had caused Toronto to change course, and give a boost to the more experienced Jarnkrok and Robertson.
Toronto has boosted their lineup with the addition of forward Sammy Blais on waivers, who won the Stanley Cup under Leafs head coach Craig Berube in St. Louis, but for now is the team's healthy scratch with Robertson and Jarnkrok getting the nod on the fourth line.
While the Maple Leafs could still eventually trade one of the two once Laughton is healthy, Brad Treliving seems to see the benefit from the role the Leafs depth can play in producing a winning roster, and may be key to their success.
How Keeping Robertson and Jarnkrok Could Reshape Toronto's Forward Depth
The sudden change to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster situation could spell some good luck for the team, and perhaps saved them from one major concern.
The instant benefit for the Leafs is that they didn't need to put one of Robertson or Jarnkrok on waivers due to the injury to Laughton, avoiding for now the potential of losing one or both to any of the league's other 31 teams.
Toronto could have lost one of the two and avoided having to risk doing so, and gives them more time to figure out what to do with their two forwards, and gives the Leafs less panic with a roster deadline now out of the way, for now.
In terms of their offense, one of Robertson and Jarnkrok playing well could change the outlook of the Leafs roster, depending on how either does with their early chance.
If Robertson and Jarnkrok can produce early, they may not only be able to win a surprise spot and put the Leafs into a situation where they have more valuable trade targets, it could be something that carries the team early on and shapes the culture they're trying to build.
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