**Proposed Trade Deal Between Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins: A Win-Win for Both Sides?**
A proposed trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins has been generating buzz around the NHL, and it could be a mutually beneficial move for both teams. The deal would send Boston’s Morgan Geekie to Toronto in exchange for Nick Robertson, a young forward who has struggled to find consistent playing time with the Leafs. On the surface, it’s an intriguing trade that addresses key needs for both sides.
### Toronto’s Need for a Third-Line Center
For the Maple Leafs, acquiring Geekie would fill a critical gap at third-line center, a position that has been a problem for the team in recent seasons. Geekie, in the final year of a two-year, $4 million deal, has shown promise in a bottom-six role. Drafted 67th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017, Geekie was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft, before being traded to Boston in 2023. Across his 267 career NHL games, Geekie has posted 39 goals and 65 assists for 104 points.
Although not a top-six forward, Geekie is capable of contributing offensively and could provide the Leafs with solid depth at center, something that could be vital as they push for playoff success. His versatility and experience in a variety of roles make him an appealing option for Toronto’s depth chart.
### Robertson’s Frustrations in Toronto
In return, the Leafs would send Robertson to the Bruins. The 23-year-old forward has long been considered one of Toronto’s top young prospects, but has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the lineup. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Robertson has shown flashes of his offensive potential, scoring 18 goals and 17 assists in 99 career games. However, he has been unable to crack the Leafs’ top-six and has frequently found himself as a healthy scratch.
Robertson’s frustration has been well-documented. After requesting a trade during the offseason, he signed a one-year deal with Toronto but has continued to face limited opportunities. With the return of injured veterans like Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar, the Maple Leafs are facing a logjam at forward, making it even harder for Robertson to find a consistent spot in the lineup.
Analysts, including Adam Proteau of *The Hockey News*, have suggested that it’s time for the Leafs to move on from Robertson. Proteau argued that the Leafs should trade Robertson while his value is still viable, ideally for “a couple of mid-tier draft picks and/or a decent prospect.” The reality is that with the Leafs’ current depth at forward, keeping Robertson in a limited role does little to help his development—or the team’s success.
### Bruins’ Struggles and Offensive Needs
For the Bruins, this trade could address a pressing need. Boston has had a rough start to the 2024-25 season, sitting at 7-7-1 and in fourth place in the competitive Atlantic Division. One of the key issues for the Bruins has been their offense, which has not been firing on all cylinders despite solid defensive play and goaltending. Head coach Jim Montgomery has voiced his frustration with the team’s lack of offensive production, and star forward David Pastrnak has echoed those concerns.
Pastrnak, however, remains confident that the team will find its rhythm. “Monty’s just trying to get us going. The mixing lines, it happens. Personally, I have no problem with it,” he said. “Right now, it’s not about the combinations. We are not good enough as a team, and that’s where it starts.”
Robertson could provide a jolt of offensive talent for the Bruins, who are in need of players who can consistently put the puck in the net. As a former goal-scoring prospect, Robertson could benefit from a fresh start in Boston, where he might be given a bigger role and more responsibility to contribute offensively. With a player like Robertson, the Bruins could be hoping to unlock some of the potential that made him a second-round pick just a few years ago.
### Conclusion: A Trade That Makes Sense for Both Teams
On paper, this deal seems to make sense for both teams. The Maple Leafs get a proven third-line center in Geekie, while the Bruins acquire a young forward with goal-scoring upside in Robertson. Both players fill a need for their new teams and could benefit from a change of scenery.
For Toronto, Geekie offers a dependable presence at center, which could give their forward group more stability and depth, particularly as they aim for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, Robertson would have the chance to revive his career in Boston, where a larger role could help him develop into the top-six winger the Leafs originally hoped for.
For the Bruins, the trade provides a potential solution to their offensive woes, while the Maple Leafs clear up some forward congestion, potentially making room for a stronger and more consistent lineup.
As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see if a trade like this could materialize and what kind of impact it would have for both franchises.
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*Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, with bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network, and more.*
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