Why Now Is The Right Time For The Maple Leafs To Trade Nicholas Robertson

It's been the talk of the town for the last several weeks that Nicholas Robertson may or may not be out of town any moment. Between his molasses-like start to Toronto needing to add pieces, his time could be coming to an end.

But he's picked up his play as of late, and if Toronto wants to get as much value out of Robertson, they need to trade him now while the iron is hot and Toronto can maximize their return for the polarizing forward.

With another two points against his brother Jason and the Dallas Stars, Robertson has doubled his season point output in two games, having four points in that span with only two goals in 23 games. It was part of another fantastic game from Toronto's revamped third line.

Alongside his linemates Bobby McMann and Max Domi, the trio had a combined four points and were a big reason why Toronto kept themselves in the game, not to mention the heroics from goaltender Joseph Woll.

So with Robertson started to pick up his pace, it seems ridiculous to get rid of him so hastily but if teams start to notice his momentum picking up, they may be more willing to part with more important pieces.

Toronto, for as much as they would love to have Robertson be their offensive catalyst for the bottom line, they also have Max Domi and Bobby McMann to do that job.

Their need for a defensive penalty killer down the middle is more of a priority than keeping Robertson who could freeze up at any moment.

The Maple Leafs could send Robertson to a team who is either struggling for offense, like the Nashville Predators and pick up someone like Juuso Parssinen.

Or they could send him to a rebuilding team and gather their pieces there such as Morgan Frost from the Philadelphia Flyers; a team Robertson has been linked to in the past and would bring another local hometown player to the team in order to bring them a Stanley Cup.

After holding out for a trade earlier this summer, Robertson relented and signed a one-year deal for $875,000.

He exploded in the preseason before he ended up going radio silent before this small outburst. He would be a cheap option for teams and that alone could entice them to give up what Toronto needs.

Nicholas Robertson has been who Toronto needs him to be the last two games, and he will continue to help the team if he keeps it up.

Whether with the Maple Leafs on the ice, or with whichever team picks him up when Toronto makes their inevitable trade.