Memo to Nick Robertson: You have minimal leverage.
With training camp just around the corner, according to multiple reports, the Robertson camp is standing firm on its trade request.
Having said that, the Leafs, who were notified of the 22-year-old’s preference to play elsewhere in late June, have been slow playing the entire process. As they should.
Trade request aside, the other important thing worth mentioning here is the fact that Robertson’s currently a restricted free agent meaning he needs to sign a new contract. Translation: If he wants to play hockey this season, it would be in his best interest to play nice with the team that drafted him. Ultimately, in the grand scheme of things, that’s probably what will end up happening here. In the NHL world, there are different pressure tactics utilized frequently by players/agents such as requesting a trade. Unfortunately, regardless of how he feels, in this scenario, Robertson doesn’t have much going for him. The Leafs don’t have to do anything.
I hope everyone’s ready for a fun game of chicken over the next month or so. This should be a fun little saga to document as the season opener in Montreal draws closer and closer.
On the surface, Robertson’s request for a change of scenery makes a ton of sense. Now five years removed from being drafted, to this point, even though he’s shown flashes of consistency, he’s been unable to break through as a full-time NHLer. Blame whoever you want, but facts are facts. He’s a bubble guy.
For me, the trade request didn’t make much sense to begin with. Craig Berube is now running the show, and if there’s one player who should be excited about that, it’s Nick Robertson, who as mentioned, failed to excel under Sheldon Keefe. Plain and simple: The winger has a chance to enter camp with a blank slate. Furthermore, the Leafs have numerous fresh faces behind the bench —not just Berube.
Ultimately, even though Robertson still prefers to be dealt, he will likely have to swallow some pride on route to his endgame. In fact, it would probably be in his best interest to sign a contract with Toronto and be there for the start of training camp. Without question, that would probably go a long way in sparking a trade —whether it happens in camp, just before the season starts, or during the year.
Any way you slice it, Robertson would be doing himself a disservice if he elects to play hardball. He needs to be at training camp, and all parties involved know it.
