There is one way the Robertson brothers can be reunited and it runs directly through Kyle Dubas
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Nick and Jason Robertson together at last? It's absolutely possible and it all depends on if Kyle Dubas wants to bring the two together in Pittsburgh or not.
If you're a Toronto Maple Leafs fan you undoubtedly have the knowledge that Nick Robertson has been asking for a change of scenery for a while now.
It's not that he's not a good player, he actually just had a career year. But for a second-round pick who was expected to be a perennial 20-goal scorer — he's been anything but.
Though he's shown steady improvement, he still hasn't locked down a real spot in the lineup and could want out again.
Kyle Dubas loves the Robertson brothers — and he can get them both if he wanted to
Right now he is set to face being a restricted free agent again, and there's a lot of talk that he wants to play with his brother; a tall task for anyone considering his level of talent. But there is one team who can do it, and Nick knows who's running the show.
Kyle Dubas is a guy who isn't shy about making deals, and there's a lot of guys that he's coveted over the years but Jason Robertson has been at the top of the list.
Ever since the Maple Leafs brought in Nick, he's been linked to the team but nothing came of it.
With him needing a new deal, the Penguins are able to give him exactly what he needs — and Nick too.
Pittsburgh has more than enough capital to give the Stars a worthy return and it wouldn't be shocking to potentially see someone like Rutger McGroarty head the other way.
As of this writing, the Penguins will have only seven names who need to be taken care of:
Realistically, the only name on the list that needs priority is Malkin, and it's more than likely that he is going to re-sign with the team even for one year.
Acciari and Dewar are depth forwards who may be seen as expendable especially with such a young group of prospects in tow. Mantha is a solid piece who was a great reclamation story, but won't come with a big price tag if he re-signs either.
Hayes, Shea, and Clifton are all easily replaceable and the seven combined salaries are worth $19.47-million. Malkin will presumably take up about a third of that, so it leaves roughly about $12.5-million to work with; which is exactly the price needed to fit Jason in.
Dubas getting both brothers is tough, but Toronto and Dallas can certainly benefit
So now that we have Jason figured out, how does Dubas find a way to bring in Nick from Toronto? Well, he has two options. First, he could present an offer sheet and hope that the Maple Leafs don't match it; a rarity nowadays.
Or he could go the trade route and acquire his signing rights via a draft pick swap or even an expiring deal like Hayes or Acciari; guys who could help Toronto's bottom-six should they sign July 1.
Robertson currently makes $1.825-million and is probably going to be looking at a steady increase given his career year.
He may be shooting for $2.5-million per season and not for just a single season, so Dubas could feasibly offer a $7.5-million deal to give him a fresh change of scenery and a bigger payday.
Dubas drafted Nick and clearly had big plans for the forward before the team fired him so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that if he has a chance to get his hands on him again, it could be fruitful.
But with that he could also be bringing in his brother Jason. And if you thought the Penguins were scary this season, just wait until they have both brothers.
In other words: Meet the Robertsons.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Auston Matthews isn’t asking to leave. He’s waiting to see if Toronto deserves him
Auston Matthews isn’t asking to leave. He’s waiting to see if Toronto deserves him
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
2 HOURS AGO|51 ANSWERS There is one way the Robertson brothers can be reunited and it runs directly through Kyle Dubas Will the Pittsburgh Penguins make a play for either Robertson brother? | ||