February 10, 2024 | 4:17pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
ROBERTSON IN PLAY FOR MAPLE LEAFS?
Nick Robertson, forward
As the Toronto Maple Leafs explore the trade market and attempt to add to their roster ahead of the March 8 trade deadline, GM Brad Treliving is believed to be evaluating his options.
Treliving, who has been on out scouting the league this week, having taken in the St. Louis Blues 3-1 win over the Sabres in Buffalo on Saturday, is scouring the NHL for assets both on the backend and up front, though has been hesitant to give up key assets in any potential deals.
The Leafs have remained interested in Calgary Flames blueliner Chris Tanev and continued dialogue with the Flames this week.
Toronto has also been linked to such players as forward Scott Laughton and defenceman Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers, defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin of the Anaheim Ducks, and Joel Edmundson of the Washington Capitals.
TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported the Maple Leafs have been against moving young prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten and remain crossed about dealing their first-round draft pick, but teams have continued to ask about those pieces. Instead, as Pagnotta reported on Friday, the Leafs could be willing to part with young forward Nick Robertson.
“Nick Robertson’s name has started to pop up in trade chatter as a piece the Maple Leafs are willing to move,” Pagnotta wrote in his latest column, while also noting the Flames are not believed to be presently interested in Robertson, so if a move for Tanev does transpire, he is unlikely to be part of any return.
Robertson, 22, has tallied seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 31 games with the Leafs so far this season. He is eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1.
Meanwhile, sources told TFP that Treliving may be keeping an eye on the Blues, which could explain why he attended their game this afternoon in Buffalo.
The Blues are battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.