Much of the New Jersey Devils trade chatter this offseason has centered around a bigger, more ambitious move, like going for Dallas Stars superstar Jason Robertson. But what about his brother, Nick Robertson, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Robertson, 23, is the last remaining restricted free agent headed to arbitration after the Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Dylan Samberg agreed on a three-year contract Wednesday.
That arbitration hearing is slated to take place on Aug. 3, and going to arbitration also precludes Robertson from signing any offer sheets.
However, the trade rumors have long swirled around Robertson, who has yet to establish himself as an NHL regular in Toronto. For both sides, moving on might be the most optimal solution.
As for the Devils, well, the 5-foot-9 forward might not be a fit based on size alone, but Robertson produced at an outstanding level in his lone full season under current Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe with the Maple Leafs in 2023-24.
In 56 games, Robertson posted 14 goals, 13 assists, and 27 points while averaging just 11:23 of ice time per game, and his 2.5 points-per-60 were comfortably the best of his career.
The former second-round pick looked like he was finally breaking out under Keefe, only for the Maple Leafs to swap Keefe for Craig Berube and put Robertson through the same process again. But, the Devils now have his former coach behind their bench, as well as a former teammate of Robertson's in Stefan Noesen.
The Devils badly need depth scoring, and adding Robertson to a winger group that already includes Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Arseniy Gritsyuk, Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, and Noesen ensures that everyone will have to earn their place in the lineup.
Players like Dadonov, Brown, and Noesen can move up and down the lineup, which could allow for Robertson to play in the middle-six role he's seeking at the Devils' benefit. Plus, the Devils could also squeeze an underperforming veteran, like Ondrej Palat, out of the lineup in order to add some speed and scoring juice to the fringes of the roster.
Robertson's agent, Pat Brisson, represents Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and recent Devils trade acquisitions Thomas Bordeleau and Jonathan Gruden.
Perhaps a little external dialogue away from Luke Hughes's contract situation could help the Devils get an idea of what Robertson is looking for on his next deal and if he'll fit in their plans in the short- and long-term.
And, should that next deal be a cheaper one, Robertson will be the last low-risk, high-reward, forward addition the Devils are seeking.