Robertson and Zadina are similar in age, but one guy (even if he's been rushed) has had the opportunity to play, while the other hasn't had much opportunity yet. A 1 for 1 doesn't make any sense for the Leafs. If they trade Robertson it should be in a package for a proven player.

Teams sign untendered RFAs/ufas as reclamation projects or trade mid/late picks (trade for them at a discounted price) for them or their own player in a similar situation.

if you traded for zadina, you would be the first to complain about him after.

i wish i could double like a comment, first thing I thought when I saw who posted this

also at this point is he really worth more than Robertson? I personally don't know that I'd do this one for one any more

Yzerman signed Zadina to a 3yr contract and I'm still trying to figure out why. Honestly I'd be happy with a 3rd for Zadina at this point,

Contending teams typically don't trade for reclamation projects mid-season. Detroit's hanging around the playoff hunt, too, so I can't see them targeting a guy like Nick Robertson if they even moved Zadina - I would see him as being more of a package going out for an upgrade if anything.

Like aedoran said. Just give us a 3rd and Zadina is all yours.

I don't think Yzerman would have any interest in Nick Robertson.

He's still young enough to turn into something. A 3rd doesn't do much for Detroit. There's also no pressure for Yzerman to remove him from the roster either since they have other guys and they are a team moving towards contention but not a contender yet.

In 2 or 3 years, he's either going to break out and become a star or bust. It's a low risk-high reward situation. If during that time a team wants to overpay for him, then they would move him. Robertson+ a 3rd would probably do it, but I think the Leafs would give up a 2nd+3rd before they do that.

Zadina is never going to break out. He's had plenty of time and opportunities. Guy is a bust. The End.

Maybe but what's a 3rd going to do for Detroit now? They already have a deep prospect pools and will probably accumulate more picks moving ufas.

This is a situation where they are better off letting him bust. If a team wants to overpay like this mock trade, then so be it.

something like that i would think

Yeah - I could see them using him as part of a trade for Conor Garland if they decide to pursue an upgrade, but trading Zadina for Robertson is like trading a guy who's running out of chances for a guy who's just starting to get them.

It's more about Robertson not being an Yzerman type player. He just doesn't strike me as one. That's just my opinion.

good take, but also I can't understand all the Zadina hate. He is an offensive player that plays on one of the worst offensive teams in the league and he frequently gets played in bottom 6 with other guys that don't produce much offense. He may not put up the points, but he's not a liability on the ice and he sometimes has flashes of brilliance. Honestly looks like his biggest issue is just finding space in the o-zone when he doesn't have the puck. My biggest fear is that he just gets dumped for some low picks, goes to a team like toronto where he gets put on a line with Tavares and Nylander and puts up 30+ goals.

I don't think Yzerman does that without getting a good return at the least. Perhaps you should be worried if he gets traded in a swap and the new guy doesn't do any good. Something like Zadina for Puljujarvi, although I think Puljujarvi could maybe do better elsewhere even though he can't do anything with McDavid.

The hate has to do with the hype that was around him and he hasn't done anything. I just think that he was started too early, on a weak Detroit team. You're totally right though, not even Larkin is anywhere near point per game career-wise. So I think people just had unrealistic expectations for Zadina.

Done and done.