Timothy Liljegren Traded to the San Jose Sharks: What Can the Leafs Fetch for Nick Robertson?

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Chris Gerics
October 31, 2024 (8:50)

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With Timothy Liljegren being shipped off to San Jose on Wednesday, it could lead to a domino effect for the other Maple Leafs players. Is Nick Robertson next?

The Timothy Liljegren and Toronto Maple Leafs drama finally ended after so much speculation regarding whether or not the former first-round pick would be traded after he found himself on the outside of Toronto's roster looking in. Trading the defenseman to the San Jose Sharks for a package including Matt Benning and two draft picks, was an end to a tumultuous time between both parties.

It's a fresh start for Liljegren that was sorely needed, as the potential for him to be a top-4 defenseman in the league is evident, and he should be getting more than enough time with the Sharks to prove himself. It's a sign that if you don't produce, you don't belong.

Cue Nick Robertson. The maligned Maple Leafs forward had a rollercoaster of an offseason. First, he demanded a trade from the team due to a lack of playing time and feeling disrespected. Failing that, he signed a one-year deal with the team and exploded for five goals in the preseason. Since the regular season though he's had one goal and been a healthy scratch in two straight games.

What Does A Nick Robertson Trade Look Like?

There's no doubt that Toronto could use Robertson when he's producing, but given his steep decline, it may be in their best interest to strike while the iron is still mildly hot. A ton of teams around the league could use Robertson to add to their arsenal, and Toronto may be able to ask teams to pay a premium in order to pry Robertson away from them.

Granted, he's been decent for the Maple Leafs when he's on the ice and showed a glimpse of what he can do last season with 14 goals in 56 games while dealing with limited minutes. But when he isn't contributing he feels invisible a lot of the time. 15 shots to one goal this season could definitely be due to some bad puck luck, but Robertson had plenty of time to do something and hasn't.

Toronto wants picks and cap room, bar none. There is no doubt Toronto could ask for a second and fourth-round pick from a team, shedding the nearly $1M in cap space of Robertson and use that pick to select someone like Artyom Vilchinsky or Milton Gastrin if either men are still around by the time Toronto can select in Round Two. It gives Toronto leeway as well in the summer to free up potential cap space for a free agent like Mikko Rantanen or Sam Bennett.

Timothy Liljegren's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended unceremoniously. With healthy scratches and a lack of playing time the writing on the wall. The same thing is happening to Nick Robertson, and he may need to think about not if, but when he's going to be traded.