The 2024-25 season is quickly approaching for the Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the NHL. While the roster is pretty much set, especially with recently agreeing to a contract with goalie Erik Portillo, this shouldn't stop general manager Rob Blake from trying to improve the roster.
One potential way would be to trade for forward Nick Robertson, who is a restricted free agent but still unsigned with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The idea was suggested by Spencer Lazary of The Hockey News and could make sense for the Kings.
Robertson was a second-round pick by Toronto in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and after 31 games over the first three seasons in the NHL, Robertson was a fixture on the Maple Leafs for the majority of last season.
He would appear in 56 games and had 14 goals, 13 assists while averaging over 11 minutes on ice. For a Kings team that needs more goal scoring, it is certainly worth the time to make a call to see what it would cost to get a deal done.
What could the Los Angeles Kings send in return for Nick Robertson?
Lazary mentioned three players that could be of interest to the Maple Leafs in forwards Francesco Pinelli, Samuel Helenius, or defenseman Angus Booth. He mentions that the thought is they want an "NHL-ready or a player close to ready for the NHL."
The Kings should be willing to part with any of those three but if there is one potential win-win solution would be including Arthur Kaliyev. He is in a similar situation as Robertson as he is a restricted free agent with no contract and wants to be traded.
It is hard to imagine that the Maple Leafs want to find themselves in a similar situation but if they can work out a deal, this would be a great move for the Kings.