NHL insider reveals Leafs GM Brad Treliving knew he could push around Nick Robertson

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Daniel Lucente
September 13, 2024 (1:40 PM)

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An NHL insider has broken some shocking news that the Leafs knew they had the upper hand over Nick Robertson which is why they were in no rush.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has had a pretty packed dance card over the past little while, with trade requests, contract extensions, and professional tryouts galore. It's been a team effort, as they say, an attempt to set up head coach Craig Berube for success. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman thinks things are just about to get really real in the Six, and with training camp on the horizon, some internal competition may just squeeze some players out of their spots.

«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 also touched on the ongoing Nick Robertson trade rumors. When co-host Kyle Bukauskas asked if he was surprised Brad Treliving still signed Nick Robertson despite the trade talk, Friedman had some thoughts on that as well.

«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.

Elliotte Friedman believes the Leafs knew they had the upper hand on Nick Robertson, which is why they were in no rush to sign or trade him.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the coming weeks, as to whether Nick Robertson ultimately gets his trade wish granted, or whether he gets more minutes as head coach Craig Berube promised him.

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