NHL insider claims Leafs GM Brad Treliving realized he could take advantage of Nick Robertson
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An NHL insider revealed that the Leafs knew they had leverage over Nick Robertson, explaining their lack of urgency.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for training camp, GM Brad Treliving's recent flurry of trade requests, contract extensions, and professional tryouts reveals the team's strategy for Nick Robertson and its competitive edge.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently shed light on the Leafs' internal thinking, suggesting they were in no hurry to resolve Nick Robertson's situation. With training camp approaching, Friedman believes Toronto is setting the stage for a competitive atmosphere, where roster decisions might come down to the wire.
«I think he's prepared to have some competition here. I don't think he and Berube are afraid of letting some players who would like at this and think �I am on the bubble here?'. I think they want the competition, they want to see who it drives, and it wouldn't surprise me because you don't need to have your roster final until the day before the season begins, it wouldn't shock me if the Leafs let this play out a little bit. I think that is their plan," stated Friedman. "Again, if you get a good offer, you may say �I gotta take this', but I think they're interested in making their camp a little more competitive."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
The Leafs' strategic patience seems deliberate. According to Friedman, Treliving and new head coach Craig Berube are using the upcoming camp to assess the roster in a competitive environment. They are willing to delay final roster decisions to evaluate all possibilities, especially considering the internal competition.
Friedman also weighed in on ongoing trade rumors surrounding Nick Robertson. When co-host Kyle Bukauskas asked if it was surprising that Robertson was re-signed despite the trade speculation, Friedman shared his insights.
«I think the options were limited. As we said last week it didn't benefit him to be sitting out. I get where Robertson's coming from but sometimes you have to take the knee and concede defeat," explained Friedman.
Treliving, it appears, has a clear plan for Robertson. Despite the swirling trade talks, the Leafs were never in a rush to move him, knowing they held the upper hand. The decision to re-sign Robertson aligns with the Leafs' strategy to cultivate competition within their lineup, especially as they navigate through training camp.
What's next for robertson?
As the Maple Leafs head into camp, it remains to be seen whether Nick Robertson's trade request will ultimately be fulfilled or if he'll earn more playing time under Berube. This dynamic is just one aspect of the Leafs' broader plan to ensure the strongest possible roster heading into the season. Regardless, this situation underscores the calculated approach Treliving and Berube are taking as they prepare for the season opener.
Source:
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| POLL | ||
13 SEPTEMBRE | 136 ANSWERS NHL insider claims Leafs GM Brad Treliving realized he could take advantage of Nick Robertson Will Nick Robertson stay with the Maple Leafs or be traded? | ||
| Trade | 89 | 65.4 % |
| Keep | 47 | 34.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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