NHL Rumors Explode: The Toronto Maple Leafs are red-hot as of late, sitting fifth in the Atlantic at 21-15-7.
The idea making the rounds, and brought up by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos would be a true blockbuster, a push to pry Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson loose if his next contract lands north of $12 million per year, more than what Mikko Rantanen got.
Kypreos’ point was that Toronto could handle the money, where the Stars might not be able to, but the real problem is what it would cost in premium futures.
Kypreos says the Leafs can pay, but Dallas will want the kids
Kypreos framed it as the kind of swing that actually changes Toronto’s DNA. Robertson is only 26, tied for the league lead among American-born scorers with 52 points through 44 games, and he’s coming off back-to-back 80-point seasons plus a monster 109-point breakout in 2022-23.
His brother, Nick Robertson, is also on the Leafs and has really stepped up his game this season, recording nine goals and 21 points through 41 games, and averaging a career-high 12:36 time on ice.
Kypreos said any conversation starts with Easton Cowan and blueline prospect Ben Danford, and then you’re talking about “plus more” to get Dallas to even listen. That’s where it gets really tricky, because the Leafs don’t have a first-round pick until 2028 and their prospect pool is quite shallow.
It still seems like a huge stretch that Dallas would be interested in that, but if things start looking really bleak in contract talks, you never know.
Why it feels more like summer smoke than a deadline deal
Dallas is in a win-now posture and Robertson’s offense is central to it, so moving him midseason would be a shock unless contract talks truly go sideways.
On Toronto’s side, Kypreos has also hinted the Leafs might be looking at some big roster math and asset juggling, with names like Anthony Stolarz floated as a possible chip if goalie-needy teams come calling and the Leafs want flexibility for a bigger play later.
The Maple Leafs are projected to have a little over $20M in cap space next season.
