New trade pitch sends away Nick Robertson for former Toronto forward
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs on YouTube
After Nick Robertson asked to leave the Maple Leafs, several trade pitches have sought to answer his request- among the latest suggestions is a former Toronto forward currently signed in Pittsburgh.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have met countless challenges trying to make a real run for the Stanley Cup. Outside of a decades-long curse, something behind the scenes has made several promising players look elsewhere in the NHL. Among the most vocal lately is RFA forward Nick Robertson, who declared that he has no plans to re-sign in Toronto, asking to be traded.
Understandably, several analysts have shared their thoughts on who the Maple Leafs could look to make a Nick Robertson Trade. Recently, Leafs Nation contributor James Reeve made a case for a PTO deal with former San Jose Shark winger Kevin Labanc.
"At the very least, he could be another experienced body at camp, play some preseason games, and leave if things don't fit. However, bringing him in on a risk-free deal and seeing him flourish could benefit the Leafs throughout the season or potentially even beyond.
He has good years left ahead of him, assuming he can stay healthy, so a PTO could turn into a one-year �show us' deal that could, in turn, become a longer-term deal if Labanc fits in well.
There's virtually no risk if things don't work out, but there's potentially all the reward for the Leafs if it goes well."
He has good years left ahead of him, assuming he can stay healthy, so a PTO could turn into a one-year �show us' deal that could, in turn, become a longer-term deal if Labanc fits in well.
There's virtually no risk if things don't work out, but there's potentially all the reward for the Leafs if it goes well."
However, not every Toronto analyst had the same idea in mind. Using PuckPedia's Puck GM tool, one Maple Leafs fan proposed a deal that sends away Nick Robertson and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, they would receive Noel Acciari and the New York Rangers' 2027 fourth-round pick.
Noel Acciari has spent most of his NHL career with the Bruins and Panthers but also played part of a season with the Maple Leafs. After playing 54 games in the 2022-23 season with the St. Louis Blues, he was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him to Toronto with Ryan O'Reilly. Yet, he only played 23 games with the team and was offered a 3-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the following season.
Despite how close his return would come to his performance, the Toronto Maple Leafs proved they are no stranger to trying to extend their payback with a short turnaround. They moved around defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin with the Anaheim Ducks to retain some salary for draft picks.
The greater issue at hand is whether or not Noel Acciari will serve an equivalent purpose in Toronto. Nick Robertson has 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games this season with less than 12 minutes of ice time on average. Noel Acciari, having dealt with a concussion during the 2023-24 season, played one game fewer but produced only four goals and seven points with roughly 90 seconds more average ice time. Outside the chance that he will want to play for the team, the only upside to the deal is a short-term veteran. The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently on the hook for $2 million over two more years, and he may provide the team with more competitive experience come Toronto's next playoffs run. Whether or not he could play up to the potential Nick Robertson might have had with the Maple Leafs, fans will likely never know.
| POLL | ||
22 AOUT | 297 ANSWERS New trade pitch sends away Nick Robertson for former Toronto forward Who would benefit more from this Nick Robertson and Noel Acciari trade proposal? | ||
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 109 | 36.7 % |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 148 | 49.8 % |
| About even | 40 | 13.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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