Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson is still pushing for a move before the season starts, even despite the chance at a growing role in the lineup, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston shared on the latest ’First Up’ podcast with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo. Robertson has been in trade talks since early February, though it doesn’t seem any discussions have made it far down the line.
Robertson will be entering his fifth professional season in the upcoming year; impressive experience for someone still a few weeks away from age 23. He’s garnered 87 games of NHL experience in that span – and while his performances haven’t been very inspiring, his 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games last season suggested Robertson’s goal-scoring days weren’t all behind him.
His junior career – three years with the Peterborough Petes from 2017 to 2020 – was defined by a dazzling shooting ability. Robertson posted 27 goals and 55 points in 54 games during his draft year, good enough to land 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, even amid concerns about his skating and drive. Robertson quieted critics quickly with an outstanding 55 goals and 86 points in just 46 games in the following season. He’s shown flashes of that scoring ability at the top level, most notably scoring 16 goals and 28 points in 28 games during the 2021-22 AHL season, but the production has been far from consistent.
Part of that can be chalked up to Robertson’s minimal role in the lineup. The 2023-24 campaign was the first time that Robertson averaged over 11 minutes of ice time and the first time that he managed a point on special teams. The Leafs have had the privilege of icing wingers like Michael Bunting and Matthew Knies ahead of Robertson but still haven’t provided their young prospect any favors in his competition for bottom-six minutes. That could be attributed to former head coach Sheldon Keefe, who moved on to the New Jersey Devils. His successor, Craig Berube, could prove a more supportive option after leading the initial success of shoot-first winger Jake Neighbours’ last season – but only if Robertson can hold his own.
Should he return to Toronto, Robertson will step back into competition with players like Knies, Max Domi, and Pontus Holmberg for space on the team’s left wing. That position battle could lead to promising minutes next to Auston Matthews or John Tavares, though Domi and Knies had the advantage of building chemistry with their centers last season. Should Robertson instead be on the move, he’ll be one of the trade market’s only active names entering September and could offer tantalizing upside for teams unhappy with their scoring depth.
17 goals and 34 points in 87 career games should be enough to sway interested teams, especially with the Leafs not in a position to ask for much for a former second-rounder who’s yet to pay off. With Patrik Laine recently traded, it seems Robertson will become the market’s next shoot-first winger looking for greener pastures.
Nick Robertson hoping to get moved without any leverage on his side. Hmm, Nick, you and your agent should have called for a designated driver.
He has a little bit of leverage as he is not signed for this year.
@MotownWings13 — Remember, we’re talking about Nick Robertson here, not his more accomplished brother, Jason. His not being signed has very little impact on their roster right now. It appears, according to PuckPedia, that his agent is Pat Brisson. I can’t believe he would give Robertson bad advice, so I’ll pile this mess squarely on Nick, until proven otherwise.
Thanks for pointing that out. If you didn’t share your infinite hockey wisdom there’s no way I would know the difference between Jason and Nick.
The point is the Leafs want him in their lineup and he doesn’t have a contract. He does have leverage even if it’s a small amount.
his leverage is the offer sheets from the blues. if that is what was given to Holloway, Robertson could easily be getting more.
that being said, the issue is that he would likely need to be given at least 3.5 million per year contract for the Leafs to consider walking away and he’s likely not getting those offers. His best move is to take a 1 year deal, play under the new coach, see if he can thrive and get a raise (Leafs will have $$$ next summer) or move on next summer.
his take this summer is strange when it’s a new coaching staff, a forward opportunity awaits. he must figure he won’t get ice time under a tougher coach as a small guy.
@MotownWings13 — It’s finite, as confirmed by Buzz Lightyear. They want him, but on their terms and based on their evaluation of his worth. His actual leverage is almost non-existent. He’s very replaceable, and any offer sheet thrown his way isn’t going to move the needle for TOR. I do agree with your opinion that he should take a 1-year “prove-it” bridge deal. It does remain to be seen whether Chief will trust him because of his size. If Darryl was there, he’d be in the press box.
trade him to the kings for arthur kaliyev.
Robertson is from Pasadena as well. That is actually a great trade proposal and great change of scenery for Kailiyev as well. Both have similar numbers.
Wonder if the leafs are waiting to see if they can get patches and if Hakinpaa deal was gonna go through before figuring out what to do about Nick
not sure why everyone wants patches who’s a leaf fan. JVR might come cheaper and is what they need in a net front présence. put him on a line with Marner and Matthews or Nylander and Matthews and just have him stand in front of the net (his home).
I don’t understand Robertson’s play here.
LW depth is thin, he basically has to show up to get a roster spot and there is one, possibly two, available LH slots next to three of the game’s best offensive players.
There’s also a new coach and the possibility to start a new relationship and establish mutual trust… Keefe is gone!
My guess is he doesn’t like the organization, wants out of the market, or has an inflated opinion of his current value/results and feels he should choose where to play.
As a career move? I really don’t get it, when a solid camp, and results during preseason could mean he slots next to two 100 point players. He could potentially be talking himself out of millions and millions and millions of dollars with a big year running shotgun. Toronto is as good of a situation as it’s going to get for a LW with pedigree looking to break out.
Or he was getting 11:00min a night, no opportunity to play with equal offensive players, and in his 11:00min a night had pretty good numbers.
the reality is there have been better players hit RFA who had to take below market on a bridge. he may think he deserves 2.75-3.5 per but he has little leverage as he needs a team to step up.
If he wants to be moved show him Bambi.
@Unclemike1525 — After that, “Old Yeller”. If he still doesn’t come around, trade him to Ariz…oh, crap, they moved. OK, how about Anaheim or Philly?