The Edmonton Oilers may have inadvertently done the Toronto Maple Leafs a big favour

The Oilers acquired Vasili Podkolzin yesterday from the Vancouver Canucks, but what they gave up very likely ensured that the asking price for Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson will start at a 3rd round draft pick.

As the Oilers navigate the two offer sheets submitted by the St. Louis Blues to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, they opted to make a deal with the Vancouver Canucks yesterday that will help the Leafs in trade negotiations with Nicholas Robertson.

The Oilers sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Canucks for former 10th overall selection Vasili Podkolzin, who spent much of the last two seasons with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks and has skated in just 137 NHL games. Over that span, Podkolzin has registered 18 goals and 35 points.

Comparing his numbers to Robertson, who was selected 53rd overall in the same 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Robertson has outperformed Podkolzin and spent much of last season with the Leafs. Robertson played in 56 games for the Leafs this past season where he registered14 goals and 27 points and has skated in 87 career regular season NHL games posting 17 goals and 34 points.

In June, Robertson requested a trade and made it known he does not intend to sign a contract with the Leafs. Meanwhile, Leafs GM Brad Treliving believes that Robertson has a significant opportunity in front of him with a new coach and a spot in the top-9 available thanks to the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi.

With training camp now just a few weeks away, we should have a resolution to Robertson's situation sooner than later and at the very least, the Leafs should be able to collect a third-round pick for the 22-year-old -- if a deal is not worked out for the restricted free agent winger.

Source: Hockey DB
Vasili Pdokolzin stats and bio