Talk Builds Around Potential 1-for-1 Nick Robertson Trade to Blue Jackets
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
There is a potential for Nick Robertson to find elsewhere to play this summer, with the Columbus Blue Jackets holding the perfect piece: Yegor Chinakhov.
With his arbitration date set, Maple Leafs fans will know the fate of Nick Robertson at least when it comes to his new contract. Will he win his case and earn a larger deal? Or does Toronto get to benefit from him on the cheap?
We won't know for a couple weeks but there's seemingly harder and harder opportunities to make the team especially with all of the new additions. Getting meaner and tougher, the smaller Robertson might not have a place in a Craig Berube lineup.
Toronto finally moves on from Nick Robertson, takes on Columbus' disgruntled star
So what if Toronto were to cut ties? We know he requested trades before, and his potential is still pretty high though he could use a change of scenery.
According to analyst Ryan Ma, they could find themselves swapping young forwards with Columbus:
The Blue Jackets have $16M in cap space, and haven't made any huge additions this summer.
Trading for Robertson and adding him to the good young core in Columbus could be just what they need.
He would fit in with a top-six that already projects to include Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, Kent Johnson, and Cayden Lindstrom at some point down the road.
Robertson hasn't been able to crack the NHL lineup consistently for the Leafs. This past season, he played 69 games which was a career high. On a team like Columbus, Robertson would probably play almost every night.
Trading for Robertson and adding him to the good young core in Columbus could be just what they need.
He would fit in with a top-six that already projects to include Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, Kent Johnson, and Cayden Lindstrom at some point down the road.
Robertson hasn't been able to crack the NHL lineup consistently for the Leafs. This past season, he played 69 games which was a career high. On a team like Columbus, Robertson would probably play almost every night.
But who would Toronto bring in? None other than Yegor Chinakhov:
As for a potential return, keep an eye on Yegor Chinakhov who has reportedly asked for a trade out of Columbus. Similar to Robertson, Chinakhov was drafted one year earlier, and also hasn't played a lot of games in the NHL.
The most games Chinakhov has played in the NHL was 62 in 2021-22. His contract is up after next season, at $2.1M per year.
The most games Chinakhov has played in the NHL was 62 in 2021-22. His contract is up after next season, at $2.1M per year.
Yegor Chinakhov instantly becomes improvement over Nick Robertson
We touched on Chinakhov earlier when his trade request first came to light, and with both him and Robertson needing new starts: Why not swap them?
Chinakhov, 24, had only 15 points in 30 games for the Blue Jackets after falling out of favor; but had 29 points in 53 games for the team a year prior.
He, like Robertson, doesn't fit with Columbus anymore, and feels slighted that he can't get a shot. Also, he fits the criteria of a Brad Treliving player being 6'1, 201 pounds.
If Toronto is going to hold onto Max Domi and put him on the first line, then the third line could see Chinakhov play alongside Nic Roy (a solid playmaker and defensive threat) as well as Bobby McMann; who is just coming off a 20-goal season.
He's only making $2.1-million, enough to slide in under the cap limit, and he's a restricted free agent so Toronto can get first dibs on him, and hopefully he can find new footing with the Leafs.
It seems like a great deal all things considered. Both men get their wish of a new start, and both teams earn young offensive stars with the potential to become game-changers.
A rare win-win in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 2503 ANSWERS Talk Builds Around Potential 1-for-1 Nick Robertson Trade to Blue Jackets Do you think Toronto should trade Nick Robertson for Yegor Chinakhov? | ||
| Yes | 1908 | 76.2 % |
| No | 595 | 23.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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