TSN: Chris Johnston on Overdrive with Bryan Hayes and Frank Corrado on the contract scenario between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nick Robertson, and Robertson’s need to maneuver on from the workforce. May the Maple Leafs herald some PTOs if Robertson isn’t in camp.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Hayes: “The place do you stand or what, the place do the Leafs stand on this Nick Robertson scenario?”
Johnston: “, it’s type of at a standstill proper now. , my understanding is Nick Robertson’s need to maneuver on hasn’t modified. however the reality stays, he’s a restricted free agent. He solely has so many rights.
Primarily, if he doesn’t need to signal a contract and the group decides to not transfer him, actually all he may do is miss time and attempt to put strain on the workforce that manner. However clearly it comes at a price to him, each by way of getting on top of things in coaching camp and probably taking part in video games, and clearly the monetary value.
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And so, you understand, I don’t know the way it is going to be resolved, however you understand, as we’re getting actually near the beginning of September right here, it doesn’t appear to be a decision in sight. And you understand, one factor Brad Treliving stated again on July 1 is, you understand, the Leafs have a necessity for Nick Robertson.
I imply, he’s, he’s acquired an awesome alternative this season, each due to, I feel, what he confirmed final yr, the truth that it (dissipates to his age?) to get higher, but additionally the dearth of, you understand, they don’t have as a lot depth left wing as they’ve in some years passed by.
And so, you understand, perhaps there’s a path to rebuild issues. However proper now, you understand, it doesn’t appear that, it’s not an apparent resolution on the market that I see. It seems perhaps the sport of rooster will go on a bit bit longer.”
Corrado: “Do you suppose it’s a type of conditions, CJ, the place they present as much as camp they usually say, that is your spot when you go on the market and present us you’re able to it? Or is there extra of a, I don’t know, some PTOs that get signed, and perhaps they hedge their bets in opposition to that truly taking place.”
Johnston: “It may very well be each. And I feel it’s a must to have an understanding 100% the place issues are at with Robertson, as a result of clearly, you’re attending to a spot the place he really isn’t going to be again subsequent season. , you’re gonna have a bit bit more cash to play with beneath the cap, and also you’ll have a bit extra of a roster spot to fill, you understand.
So within the meantime, I feel it’s truthful to imagine you see a PTO. I imply, these can profit the workforce a numbers stage. You get a free have a look at a participant. You get veteran gamers in that assist you attain the minimal if you’re taking part in all these preseason video games.
, so I feel lots of it is going to hinge on how precisely it unfolds with Robertson. They usually’ve acquired three weeks or so from now, a bit bit extra earlier than camp opens, I feel, to get that readability earlier than the signal the place to go.
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However I imply that the very fact of the matter stays, this isn’t actually a ton of choices on the open market, unsigned, at this time limit. There’s not lots of apparent upgrades or something like that. You’re taking a look at gamers which are depth choices, veterans attempting to squeeze one other yr out of their profession.
And so, you understand, there’s most likely quite a lot of ways in which that they’ll handle that gap if there’s one, however I feel, first, they’ve to find out if there’s really going to be a gap there, for certain.”
