Toronto Maple Leafs fan proposes wild trade involving Nick Robertson

With CapFriendly shutting down after the Washington Capitals' acquisition, websites like PuckPedia have stepped up to allow fans to play armchair GM. These platforms let users tinker with rosters and share their trade ideas. This creative space has seen a fascinating trade proposal involving Nick Robertson and Patrik Laine, who also requested trades this summer.

One fan's imaginative concoction suggests a trade package of Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, and a 2026 first-round pick for Patrik Laine at 50% of his $8.7M salary and a second-round pick. The fan's proposal, which you can view below, imagines Laine joining the Leafs.

The Leafs do save some money on this deal, but it's questionable whether the team would benefit from adding Laine and losing Robertson, Jarnkrok, and Kampf. While these players may not seem crucial at first glance, each has significant value. Jarnkrok is just a year removed from a 20-goal season, Robertson had a productive 2023-24 season despite limited ice time, and Kampf is a key penalty killer for the Leafs.

Laine, on the other hand, played only 18 games last season for the Blue Jackets, recording just nine points. This performance is a stark contrast to his previous season, where he scored 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games during 2022-23.

While it's clear this trade is speculative and unlikely to happen, it demonstrates how fans are creatively engaging with the sport. There's no current link between Laine and the Leafs, but such a trade would arguably not favor Toronto, making them worse off by losing key players for an uncertain return in Laine.

Fans' ability to create and share these hypothetical trades adds an engaging layer to following the NHL, showcasing their deep understanding and passion for the game, with some wanting Laine to return home to the Jets.

This particular proposal, however, seems to tip the scales against the Maple Leafs' favor, showcasing the risks and uncertainties involved in trade deals.

As Read on MapleLeafsDaily - Strange proposal sees Nick Robertson traded for former 2nd overall pick