Done Deal- Maple Leafs Acquire Stanley Cup Champion in Multi-Player Deal after star forces Exit to rivals
The Toronto Maple Leafs Explore Potential Trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins
During this offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to make significant changes to their forward lineup. However, a potential trade scenario has emerged involving the Pittsburgh Penguins, which could see Toronto acquiring two new forwards.
PuckPedia, a popular hockey website, recently introduced a tool called PuckGM that allows fans to propose their own trades. One user suggested a deal that would bring Lars Eller, Matt Nieto, and a 2027 third-round pick to the Maple Leafs, in exchange for Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg heading to the Penguins.
#### Proposed Trade Details
Maple Leafs Receive
– Lars Eller
– Matt Nieto
– 2027 third-round pick
Penguins Receive:
– Nick Robertson
– Pontus Holmberg
This proposed deal involves both teams swapping forwards, with the Maple Leafs also gaining a valuable draft pick. The Penguins would acquire Nick Robertson, a restricted free agent who has indicated he has no intention of re-signing with Toronto. Last season, Robertson scored 14 goals and added 13 assists, totaling 27 points in 56 games.
Pontus Holmberg, who played 54 games with the Maple Leafs last season, recorded 7 goals and 10 assists, contributing 17 points. Both Robertson and Holmberg are expected to fit into the Penguins’ middle-six forward group.
Maple Leafs’ Potential Acquisitions
For Toronto, Lars Eller would be a significant addition, bringing his experience as a Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals in 2018. Eller is currently in the final year of his two-year, $4.9 million contract and would likely slot in as the Maple Leafs’ third-line center. Last season, he posted 15 goals and 16 assists, totaling 31 points in 82 games.
Matt Nieto, on the other hand, would provide depth and veteran presence to Toronto’s fourth line or potentially serve as a healthy scratch. With 673 NHL games under his belt, Nieto recorded 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 22 games last season.
Robertson’s Request for a Trade
Nick Robertson, a 22-year-old forward drafted 53rd overall by Toronto in 2020, has shown potential in his NHL appearances. Despite this, he has not secured a regular spot in the Maple Leafs’ lineup, prompting him to request a trade. Although he has expressed a desire to leave, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving remains hopeful about Robertson’s future with the team.
“I have certainly known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player,” Treliving stated to the media on July 1. “There is great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us. I am not going to get into any speculation or public back-and-forth. We will just leave it at that and continue to move forward.”
Robertson has played in 87 NHL games, recording 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points.
Dubas’ Connection to the Trade
Kyle Dubas, the current general manager of the Penguins, previously held the same position with the Maple Leafs from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure in Toronto, Dubas was involved in drafting both Holmberg in 2018 and Robertson in 2020. His familiarity with these players could be a key factor in pursuing this trade, aligning with his goal of infusing youth into the Penguins’ lineup.
“That is what anchors our decision-making, how can we be competitive now but also be ensuring that we aren’t just layering quick fix on top of quick fix and then that leaves the Penguins in bad shape for the long run. That’s been the full objective,” Dubas explained.
The Penguins are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2023-24 NHL season, where they missed the playoffs with a record of 38-32-12. Acquiring younger talent like Robertson and Holmberg could be a step towards achieving long-term success.
