The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to kick off their 2024-25 NHL season in a week, and there’s a trade suggestion aimed at making them tougher before the season begins.
The PuckGM tool on the website PuckPedia allows users to propose their own trades. One user suggested a trade that would bring Matt Rempe from the New York Rangers to the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs acquire:
Matt Rempe
Rangers acquire:
Robertson Nick
The proposed one-for-one trade is intriguing, as it would bring tough enforcer Matt Rempe to the Maple Leafs, reinforcing their fourth line and making them harder to compete against. On the other hand, Nick Robertson has requested a trade and is vying for a spot on the roster.
Toronto would gain Rempe, who quickly became a fan favorite during his rookie season. Standing at 6-foot-9, the forward was one of the league’s top enforcers last year, engaging in several fights and not hesitating to use his body.
However, Rempe is currently competing for a spot in training camp, and with the Rangers focused on contending for a Stanley Cup, adding more skilled players to their lineup is a strategic move. He saw limited ice time last season, as New York often dressed only 11 forwards.
In exchange, the Maple Leafs would trade Robertson, who expressed a desire to move earlier in the summer. While he has impressed in training camp, his place on the roster isn’t guaranteed. The Rangers could use him as a third-line winger to provide some affordable depth scoring, which is a need for New York.
Robertson Putting Trade Request From Maple Leafs in the Past
Nick Robertson became a restricted free agent on July 1, and Chris Johnston reported that the former second-round pick would not be re-signing and had requested a trade.
However, months later, Robertson signed a one-year contract worth $875,000 with the Maple Leafs. During training camp, the skilled winger refrained from discussing his trade request, stating he was solely focused on securing a spot on the roster.
“I’m not going to dive into that,” Robertson said. “I signed in Toronto. I’m happy to be in Toronto. Being back here a week ago, it’s good to see everyone. I’m happy to be back.”
Robertson also expressed that Toronto is where he wants to be, and he’s pleased with the signing.
“I signed in September, and I was happy to sign; I was here at the right time, and I wanted to be here,” he said. “I had a great summer. It was the best summer of my career. Thankfully, I’m not coming off an injury. My conditioning feels good, my body feels good, and I’m looking forward to this camp.”
In his career, Robertson has played 87 games, tallying 17 goals and 17 assists for a total of 34 points.
Rempe Trying to Make Rangers Lineup
Matt Rempe quickly became a fan favorite last season, but he is currently competing for a roster spot during training camp.
The 22-year-old is determined to show that he can contribute beyond just being a fighter. He expressed his desire to prove himself capable of playing in the NHL.
“I don’t think my mentality has changed at all. But this year, I know the work I put in over the summer, and I want to showcase that,” Rempe told The Post. “I feel much better about my game this year. I think I surprised myself a bit last year with how camp went. This year, I know what I can do, and I want to display that. I have to earn everything; that’s what I want and who I am. I’m never going to get comfortable—just earn, earn, earn everything.”
Last season, Rempe played in 17 NHL games, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist for a total of 2 points. In the playoffs, he contributed with 1 goal in 11 games.
