NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Nick Robertson still wants the Leafs to trade him, free-agent winger Filip Zadina is close to signing with a new club, and the latest on the Flames.
ROBERTSON STILL WANTS OUT OF TORONTO
TSN: Chris Johnston reports no resolution in the standoff between the Toronto Maple Leafs and unhappy winger Nick Robertson. The 22-year-old restricted free agent requested a trade earlier this summer.
Johnston noted Robertson has little leverage here. If he doesn’t want to sign and the Leafs won’t move him, all he can do is sit out and hope to put pressure on the team. However, it’ll be costly to Robertson in terms of contract and preparation for the coming season.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (NHL Images).
Earlier this summer, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said he wasn’t planning to move Robertson despite his trade request. He believes the young winger has a great opportunity this season with the Leafs to become a better player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson has grown frustrated over his playing time thus far with the Leafs. Holding out for a trade likely won’t help his cause unless the Leafs get an offer too good to pass up.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: A reader asked Dan Kingerski what it might take for the Penguins to acquire Robertson.
Kingerski observed Robertson is “an unproven commodity with loads of talent but a delayed progression.” He estimates his salary range at around $2 million. Kingerski reports Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas “really likes Robertson.”
The Penguins could attempt to offer sheet Robertson but Kingerski believes the Leafs would match. It would have to be a trade with the Leafs getting a player with value in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt that Dubas likes Robertson and might like to include the winger among his efforts to add more affordable young talent to the Penguins. Whether a trade is possible remains to be seen, especially if Treliving remains unwilling to trade him.
ZADINA CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH A NEW CLUB
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the agent for Filip Zadina denied a report out of Czechia claiming the 24-year-old winger was close to signing a contract with the Sabres.
Darren Ferris told Lysowski he’s in the process of securing a professional tryout offer for his client with another team.
Zadina was chosen sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft. He’s struggled to establish himself as a scoring winger, lasting four seasons with the Wings. Zadina spent last season with the San Jose Sharks, scoring 13 goals and 23 points in 72 games.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources tell him three teams are in discussion with Zadina.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a crucial period in Zadina’s sputtering NHL career. He’ll need a strong training camp and preseason to earn a contract for this season, and must significantly improve his performance to ensure he can stick in the NHL after that.
LATEST ON THE FLAMES
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson and Daniel Austin were asked by a reader what Flames GM Craig Conroy might have up his sleeve in the lead-up to training camp.
Gilbertson indicated Conroy has informed cap-strapped clubs that he’s willing to use his cap space to help them, for a price. That would be not just the player received in the deal but also a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect.
The Flames have nearly $20 million in cap space, making them a perfect partner for a club looking to shed salary.
Asked about possible PTO targets for the Flames, Gilbertson suggested center Steven Lorentz or winger Kailer Yamamoto. Austin suggested Filip Zadina.
I read elsewhere that the Czech reporter who pushed the Buffalo story on Zadina has walked that back and says that the three teams offering him a PTO are the Habs, the Leafs and the Avs. Obviously it’s hard to put much stock in that guy who’s essentially admitted to being wrong the first time and I don’t see any of those teams being interested. I have a feeling Zadina will spend the year in the Czech league or the KHL.
I recall seeing an article after Zadina was drafted and was overlooked by Montreal and Ottawa that he claimed:
“I was telling my agent, if they will pass on me, I’m going to fill their nets with pucks,” the newly-drafted Zadina said, via Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. “I want to prove to Detroit that they make a pretty good decision.”
All talk, no action. He’s barely and NHLer.
Joe, I remember that 2018 draft well – a buddy and I were following – and sort of hoping Zadina would “fall” to Ottawa, based on watching him in Major Junior, where he was a stand-out.
Hindsight being what is, thank God – as I’m sure fans of the other teams are doing – Ottawa took Brady Tkacuk instead at # 4 after Buffalo took Dahlin # 1, Carolina took Svechnikov # 2, Montreal took Kotkaniemi 3rd (and even there, considering what followed) the ultimate outcome is way better than had they taken Zadina).
Only Arizona’s pick at # 5 – where they took Barrett Hayton – has turned out as bad as Zadina.
In 209gp Hayton has 35g 49a 84 pts while Zadina, in 262 gp has 41g 50a 91 pts.
Vancouver, picking 7th, is happy as well since they got Quinn Hughes.
When you examine Robertson’s situation with the Leafs you have to wonder what Treliving has offered him in the way of a new deal (IF in fact any deal has been put forth).
In 56gp – and not exactly prime minutes involved – he did pop 14g 13a 27 pts and a +4 while pulling in an ELC of $796,667. Over an 82-game average that works out to 21g 21a 42 pts. A deal in the range of $2 mil therefore seems like a reasonable request.
The problem for Treliving is, he has just $1,275,333 in cap space with 21 of 23 committed to – 12F 7D 2G. The question then becomes, is he looking to low-ball Robertson at around $1 mil? I ask that purely from a mathematical observation because anything around $2 mil is going to put him over the cap and, in order to comply, he’d need to move out another contract – leaving him with the prospect of entering the season with just 19 skaters (12F 7D) and 2 goalies. And any nagging day-to-day injuries couldn’t be covered by an AHL call-up in those circumstances.
And should Dubas (or any other GM) offer-sheet him at, say, $2.2 million, Treliving is in the same boat if he matches.
I think Robertson got some bad advice last spring. It seems to coming down to what Robertson wants not necessarily what he’s earned as far as his playing time goes and who his line mates are. He has a great shot and he’s scored in his limited 3rd line time, but he hasn’t shown that his play away from the puck has improved enough to get that top 6 time. You really can’t fault Toronto in this case, they’ve worked with him through his injures and his developement. Has Robertson improved, yes. Has Robertson earned that increased playing time on the top 6, not sure about that. He’s nuts if he misses training camp or goes overseas, where he’s already missed camp time. If he’s smart he signs, shows up at camp and shows not only Toronto but any other team that he’s ready for the increased time and work load. If he still wants a trade it’ll make it easier to get it done
Yogi, yep.
Get to work, improve your game. It’s an opportunity staring him in the face, take it and run with it.
Also Yogi, Robertson is still only 22 so his defensive ability is to be expected as a player primarily a sniper at this stage of his development, which as you mentioned has been greatly retarded – partly to injuries, partly to Covid and partly to Keefe’s coaching method, ie play the big guns and no one else.
If/when Robertson leaves, it will most likely be for a similar player in another organization that they have a redundancy of like players who can’t crack the lineup or who is a less of a preference of what’s currently available than him like the case with Robertson. So if there’s a team with a traditional bottom/mid six young player who can’t fit in your line up but can use a scoring mid six player, there’s a match to be made as trading partners.
Robertson looks like he’ll be a 20 goal player maybe getting to 30 a few times too. At 22 and costing less than a few million, that’s a cheap scoring option most teams, including the Leafs find hard to have.
But Yogi and Ray (and I’m not disagreeing with your take) what should he sign for that would keep the Leafs below the cap, given their limitations there?
What little i’ve heard is that it’s not so much as the money than it is about the playing time. But either way holding out for a little more money or to get a trade is only going to hurt Robertson in the long run. Missing another camp is the last thing he needs. He needs to get on the ice and show everyone that the injures are behind him and he’s working on his play away from the puck. You’re right Ron about what he’ll bring back in a trade and that should be enough incentive for Toronto to work with him. Give him that ice time, see if he runs with it, they have nothing to lose by it. I don’t know George, hockey careers are short for most players. So, we can understand his reasoning for trying to get the most money, if that’s his reason for not signing. But missing another camp isn’t going to help get a bigger payday down the road. Robertson’s just not in a position to dictate anything
Another thing is, if Robertson forces a trade over money, will the next team pay him what he wants. More than anything else he needs to play. That’s his only ticket to success
There’s also the possible factor as to what advice he’s getting from his agent – Pat Brisson
I think that’s the biggest factor, he got benched in the playoffs in favour of Reeves and now somebodies whispering in his ear. Robertson said he had a good interview with Berube and Chris Johnson believes Toronto will match an offer sheet and Tre says that Robertson will get a good opportunity to show what he can do. If Keefe was the issue he’s gone. What else is there?
What Yogi said.
George as far as how much, 1 year at a little less than the Leafs have in cap space, so $1.2M.
Take it, go play and work hard. The ice time and money will follow if has success.
All great observations … if he’s smart he’ll take it.
What Conroy has up his sleeve is that his group should be in a full scale rebuild! Imagine having 20 million in cap space and still be tied down by Huberdeau,Kadri and Weeger contracts ?It s open season for all teams to dump contracts on the Flames for draft picks! This looks like what Arizona/Utah did the last 5 years!
i can see the Avalanche being interested in him? i don’t know if they are but the team has to be looking at filling some needs; especially in the forword group because of the uncertainty of Nichushkin and that whole situation. Also, sounds as though Landeskog is getting ready to return but at what time? i see some unanswered questions with the Avalanche unless they feel confident some of their younger prospects maybe ready to make the team? Ritchie, Olausson, another guy his name escapes me@ the moment: olav? i’m not convinced but that’s why i’m not in charge, thank god. LOL!!!!
That is why i commented on Wahlstrom the other day because i think the Avalanche should at least be looking. I’m sure they are. Chris McFarland is doing a good job, it seems as though they were in on the goaltender that went to SJ. i can see why they didn’t get him though with Nashville being such a big divisional rival? i would have been surprised if they had gotten him! but that division is just going to keep getting more competitive, more than it already is.
In Landeskog’s case, given the severity of his injury, you almost have to ask “Landeskog is getting ready to return but at what time … and for how long?”
Here in Ottawa we’re pretty much facing the same issue with Norris.
George O, from what i hear and see, Landeskog is doing really great skating and no setbacks. But of course, that can all change. they are saying by the beginning of the season/ or shortly thereafter? just wish the guy well, he’s a hell of a player.
i have been keeping tabs on you guys commenting about Norris. hopefully, he can have an injury free year and help Ottawa wether he plays wing/ or center? the Senators are going to be good, i think . but i said that last year? to me, they are like Buffalo, ready to bust out and make some noise?
The Flames have a plan.
The plans name is Gavin McKenna. They’ll do whatever it takes to get the best lottery odds.
Yeah, he’s prominently at the top in most 2026 projections – going to be interesting to see what he does at Medicine Hat with coming season at age 17!
But would Flames fans be happy with two more seasons in the wilderness to get a decent shot?
I think so, George. It would be nice to have a superstar in the new rink.
Conroy is a smart fella. I think he’s got a decent plan in place.
Is it true that he is Bedard’s cousin? If so that is kind of a wow.
That kid looks like a star. Gonna have to check out the Tigers when they come to town.
By marriage, Ray. Still cool though.
He’s from the bush. All about hunting and fishing.
Ray, cousin by marriage – see here
https://www.nhl.com/news/gavin-mckenna-takes-advice-from-connor-bedard-wins-hlinka-gretzky-cup