Maple Leafs making the right call with major roster decision

The Toronto Maple Leafs began their 2025-26 season with some last-minute adjustments and unexpected injuries in their squad, so the need for depth in the bottom-six became a priority.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, GM Brad Treliving no longer wants to move on from Nicholas Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok, who had been rumored to be considered tradeable.

"The information I had Saturday is that Treliving isn’t shopping (Nicholas) Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok. He likes the idea of having that depth," Dreger said.

Sources like insider David Pagnotta mentioned in September that Robertson, 24, and Jarnkrok, 34, were considered pieces to free up salary cap, but now the focus has changed due to what they provide in terms of stability and depth.

Recently, Scott Laughton, projected as the 4C, suffered an injury and will not be available for a few weeks. Furthermore, there were changes in goal and defense that forced Berube to recalibrate combinations and roles.

How the Maple Leafs will benefit from keeping Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok

Robertson came out well from training camp, so the front office's decision to keep him on the roster is not surprising. He added speed, shooting and energy. Jarnkrok, for his part, provides versatility, being able to cover both wings and center, and utility on the penalty kill, since the roster is scarce on right-handed players.

Keeping this type of cheap and useful contract in the bottom-six avoids overpaying for replacements, and it gives a greater margin of time for Treliving to find his much-desired top-six forward.

Berube seems to be adjusting his team on the penalty kill, looking for clean exits at five-on-five. Having two players who he knows well to rotate facilitates the assignment of situational roles for matchups, net-front or bumper on the second power-play unit.

Keeping Robertson and Jarnkrok does not mean that the Maple Leafs are closing the doors to an elite reinforcement in the near future. They would only have to move other pieces (waivers, AHL, UFA) without touching these two players.

The decision is the right call because it maintains stability in the squad. The team needs insurance at the bottom of the lineup while Laughton recovers and the rest of the lines settle. Robertson offers "cheap" goals and drive at five-on-five, while Jarnkrok is a wild card to plug holes, kill penalties and play wherever he is asked.

The Maple Leafs are not willing to lose games due to a lack of depth, which in the end costs more than marginally saving on the salary cap.