Nicolas Roy is showing up in a contender’s trade blueprint
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicolas Roy is reportedly drawing a lot of interest from the Colorado Avalanche as they look to improve their bottom-six.
It's trade rumour season around the NHL even though they are off on a bit of a break thanks to the 2026 Olympics, however that doesn't mean the speculation is going to stop anytime soon.
We've heard several reports about the Maple Leafs getting a lot of attention for names like Bobby McMann and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and if the team gets lucky enough they could end up pulling in a much bigger haul than expected.
Though one name who has picked up steam as of late is center Nicolas Roy, the piece Toronto received from the Mitch Marner deal. He's been solid as can be, and started to really turn the corner offensively especially alongside Nick Robertson.
Nic Roy has started to get a lot more eyes on him
But he could also bring in a lot of help to contenders and the Maple Leafs could find themselves with a slew of assets in return, and reports show that one team is showing a lot of vested interest.
A report from Aarif Deen revealed the Colorado Avalanche should take a look at Roy as a means to improve their bottom-six by adding a two-way force with Stanley Cup pedigree:
The 29-year-old Stanley Cup champion is in his first season with the Maple Leafs, as he was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights for Mitch Marner’s rights last summer.
Roy has five goals and 20 points in 54 games. In his final four years with Vegas, Roy averaged 16 goals and 41 points per 82 games.
He also has 32 points in 79 career playoff appearances, including 11 in 22 games to help Vegas capture the Stanley Cup in 2023.
At 6’4, 200 lbs, Roy fits the bill as a rangy centerman similar to what Colorado coveted last year in Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle. He also kills penalties and boasts a 53.6% success rate in faceoffs this year.
Roy has five goals and 20 points in 54 games. In his final four years with Vegas, Roy averaged 16 goals and 41 points per 82 games.
He also has 32 points in 79 career playoff appearances, including 11 in 22 games to help Vegas capture the Stanley Cup in 2023.
At 6’4, 200 lbs, Roy fits the bill as a rangy centerman similar to what Colorado coveted last year in Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle. He also kills penalties and boasts a 53.6% success rate in faceoffs this year.
Should Toronto entertain a Nic Roy trade?
The return back could be similar to what we saw with Coyle last year which included two draft picks and prospect Gavin Brindley and for the Maple Leafs, if they decide to sell -- they should look to deal Roy.
Not that he's been bad, and there's certainly an argument about keeping him but if teams are willing to throw a huge package towards Brad Treliving, he shouldn't just ignore it. There's a lot you can use with those assets going forward, either with picking at the draft, or using them as trade bait for a bigger deal.
Granted, the Maple Leafs upper management doesn't want to risk losing out on the playoffs and the benefits that come with it so trading Roy may not be in their future, especially since they are on a three-game win streak.
It would be a little frustrating to see Roy gone only months after he was acquired for Marner given that it feels like even less of an equal swap at that point.
But if that all turns into a bigger piece down the line, then perhaps that domino needed to fall for Toronto to get better.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 10|852 ANSWERS Nicolas Roy is showing up in a contender’s trade blueprint Should Toronto keep or trade Nic Roy? | ||
| Trade Him! | 537 | 63 % |
| Keep Him! | 315 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||