Both guys are 25.
Tkachuk is on a five season run where his goal numbers get better every season (17, 30, 35, 37, and now on pace for 43 goals). He is also under contract until 2028 at $8.2 million. His contract bought one year of his UFA years at a good price.
Robertson is on a three season run where his goal numbers are declining season to season (46, 29, and now on pace for 19). He is under contract until 2026 at $7.75 million with a qualifying offer of $9.3 million to retain his rights for one season before he becomes a UFA.
Tkachuk is a better player today, is on a better multi-season trend, and has a better contract.
If you limit to a 20 game sample of this season, sure, while the way Robertson is playing doesn't inspire any confidence I wouldn't bet against him currently.
Problem with sample sizes is Benn is also better than Johnston, Strome better than McDavid.
If you only look at a season of data points Denis Gurianov and Brett Ritchie don't look like the complete scrubs they always have been.
20 games, hell even 1 season of brady being better doesn't undo that since Robertson has entered the league he's been better than Brady (it's not particularly close either). It also conveniently leaves out that Brady had years of "trending down" scoring too.
You're talking about a player who's played 150 more reg season games, that has 34 more goals and 46 more points.
Hell if you include Robertson PO scoring (where he's been shit out routinely)
The difference is Tkachuk leads by 20goals and 8points while still having played 103 more games.
Contracts are a meh point, it's a total of 1 additional year of control (assuming Robertson signed a qualifying offer only) and it amounts to Robertson 200k more expensive player in those overlapping contact years.
If his numbers don't rebound, He's not going to forgo a multi-year 7-8m contract for a 1yr 9.3 contract. unless he hired Klingbergs agent (unlikely)
If Nill thinks Robertson's new normal is being under 70p then by all means move on from him, but aim higher than Brady. Unless he's dumping Dumba too, that's just selling low on a much better player.
I'm willing to give Robertson the benefit of the doubt.
You don't go from the best player on the team for 3 straight years to garbage overnight, at least not at 25, without significant injuries playing a factor.