Leafs Forward Puts Brad Treliving in a Tough Spot Ahead of the Trade Deadline
The Toronto Maple Leafs have found themselves in a pickle concerning one forward as his sudden emergence has made making a deal much more difficult.
Given the Leafs over the last month has been one of the best offensive teams in the entire NHL, things are finally starting to look like fans envisioned at the beginning of the year. Backed by great defense and goaltending, Toronto is primed to have a big playoff push.
Their recent offensive explosion has been in large part due to Auston Matthews returning to form, and the consistently brilliant Mitch Marner and John Tavares. However, one forward has started to pick up his game, leading to a lot more questions than answers.
Nicholas Robertson: Trade While Hot Or Ride The Hot Streak?
It's been a rollercoaster season thus far for Robertson. From holding out for a trade in the offseason, to signing a deal a couple of weeks before the season started, having a blazing preseason then going ice cold; safe to say consistency has been a main issue.
But over the last month and a half, Robertson has picked up his game and looks more dangerous. He's checking more, trying his best to improve defensively, has a relentless engine, and has been the quiet sparkplug Toronto needs to keep themselves alive in games.
This season Robertson has eight goals, four assists, 42 hits and 18 blocks in 39 games.
For his criticism on defense, he has nearly as many takeaways as giveaways, already has a career high in hits, and has fully bought into the Craig Berube system even if he isn't the strongest player in his own end.
In the Montreal game, Robertson deflected a pass from Oliver Ekman-Larsson to help Toronto claw back, and it shows that he's become more active offensively, and toward the end of the game he was flying around the ice looking for anyone to hit.
There were talks about a trade, and Robertson has been linked to several teams this season, but with how he's been playing and continually improving, the worst thing Toronto could do is trade him, and while he may cool off eventually; ride the hot streak while it's here.
You never know when it's going to end, especially with Nick Robertson.
