Disgruntled Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson reportedly still wants out of Toronto as contract talks hit a ‘standstill’
Robertson appears to be dead set on a fresh start with a new club as the 2024-25 season inches closer
Restricted free agent — and former top prospect — Nick Robertson’s tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be heading off a cliff.
Since the 2019 second-round pick requested a trade at the end of June, there’s been little-to-no progress in contract talks according to multiple reports. And, as training camp draws near, there doesn’t appear to be a resolution on the horizon as both sides hold their ground.
Chris Johnston provided an update about Leafs’ RFA Nick Robertson this morning on @FirstUp1050 pic.twitter.com/iRpABSpQX0
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 27, 2024
The 22-year-old winger still remains without a contract, and TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston doesn’t believe a solution is imminent.
“It’s kind of at a standstill right now,” Johnston said on popular Toronto sports radio program “OverDrive” on Monday. “My understanding is Nick Robertson’s desire to move on hasn’t changed, but the fact remains he’s a restricted free agent, he only has so many rights.
“Especially if he doesn’t want to sign a contract and the organization decides not to move him, really all he could do is miss time and try to put pressure on the team, that way. But obviously it comes at a cost to him, both in terms of getting up to speed in training camp and potentially playing games, and obviously a financial cost.”
Johnston continued:
“I don’t know how it will be resolved but as we’re getting really close to the start of September here, there doesn’t seem to be a resolution in sight and one thing [Leafs GM] Brad Treliving said back on July 1 is the Leafs have a need for Nick Robertson.
“He’s got a great opportunity this season, both because of what he showed last year, the fact that you anticipate someone his age to get better, but also they don’t have as much depth at left wing as they have in some years gone by. Maybe there’s a path to rebuild things, but right now there’s not an obvious solution out there that I see.”
Naturally, Leafs Nation stormed social media to express varying opinions on the disgruntled forward’s waning desire to stay in Toronto, with many opting to side with the team — which holds most of the leverage in a contentious situation like this.
I hope Treliving holds his ground on Nick Robertson. Let him play elsewhere, who cares if you’re the Leafs.
Can’t allow tiny fringe NHLers to have that high of demands. This will really hurt his chances of becoming a full time big league player. Idiot.
— Rad Treliving (@MapleLeaves34) August 27, 2024
Nick Robertson arguing with the head coach of the Guangdong Tigers for more minutes in January after turning down an opportunity to play in the Leafs top 6 pic.twitter.com/GHaYNK9e0D
— Dr. Grizzo (PhD, MD, BA, MBA, 7’4 240 IQ) (@mrgrozz) August 27, 2024
Not now Colorado CJ just dropped a Nuke that Nick Robertson doesn’t want to be here even after we gave him a new coach, new captain, cleared the LW for him, and made this situation perfect for him
— Banksy (@Banx_Leaf) August 27, 2024
You’re turning 23 as the season starts with barely any LW competition, a new coach, a new captain. How do you not see this as a massive opportunity?? Too bad, I was excited to see a motivated Nick Robertson without the big guy behind the bench.
— billz (@justleafism) August 27, 2024
You cannot let a player like this dictate his situation. He holds 0 leverage. Either he plays or sits. Do not not even entertain a trade. As much as I have liked Nick Robertson, mgmt needs to show some teeth. This isn’t the Dubas regime where everyone gets a no move trade clause pic.twitter.com/b6wTjNC9cH
— Fulton Reed (@FultonReed6) August 27, 2024
I wont be “happy” about it but if Nick Robertson wants to never play NHL hockey again… I think that’s fine?
Like, the Leafs have his rights locked up for about five more years. He’s good but he’s also just some kid. If he’d REALLY rather play in Europe than in the NHL… Fine? https://t.co/XQOjjSnZpu— Chad Crichton (@chadcrichton) August 27, 2024
If Nick Robertson doesn’t think he can beat out…checks notes…bobby mcmann, alex nylander and alex steeves for top 9/top 6 minutes on this team, I’m not sure why any other team would want him
— 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@_brickwoll) August 27, 2024
Others, meanwhile, are falling more on Robertson’s side of the fence, empathizing with the young winger’s desire for a change of scenery after several injury-plagued seasons on an underachieving Leafs squad.
You can’t blame Nick Robertson for not wanting to play for a shitty team like the Maple Leafs. When you keep the same core of bums year after year and rinse and repeat it must get tiring.
— The Original Burnsie (@burnsieoriginal) August 27, 2024
Nick Robertson’s current ability is completely underrated and he receives a lot of bs criticism that other players aren’t subject to.
Him being traded before signing a second contract in TOR deep down always seemed like how it would play out, but the dynamic is different now.
— leafsnationnews (@LNNinstagram) August 27, 2024
Love the comments that know absolutely nothing besides Robby’s injury history
Nick Robertson’s 2023-24 Campaign
56 GP, 14 G, 13 A, 27 Pts
21 G ,19 A, 40 Pt Pace
Played an average of 10 minutes a night on the 3rd & 4th linesHE IS ONLY 22, The Talent is there https://t.co/NinGlGzfb5
— THE PAINFULLY- Optimistic Leaf Fan (@fvc022) August 27, 2024
Good for Nick Robertson
I like when players decide things for themselves and ignore the outside pressure
Now send a 3rd/4th to Toronto for him MacFarland 📝
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) August 27, 2024
I hate it, but Nick Robertson would be a perfect fit for teams like Detroit, Philadelphia & Chicago
Instant top 5 shot on most NHL teams, but he needs to be allowed to make mistakes & learn what he can & cant do at an NHL level. The Leafs can’t offer that#LeafsForever #Toronto
— Talon Jenkins (@Talon_Jenkins94) August 27, 2024
And some are just hoping both sides come to their senses and get a deal done so Robertson — who boasts plenty of potential — can continue his young career in Toronto with the only NHL franchise he’s known.
Don’t care if I’m yelling into the echo chamber for this but Nick Robertson should extend and continue to be a Leaf.
Entire new coaching staff and a fresh start with them. Playing less than 12 mins a night on avg he puts up 14 goals, 27 pts.
Feels like he’s going to break out.
— KwnHausen (@KwnStorm) August 26, 2024
Disappointing to hear that Nick Robertson has requested a trade from the Leafs.
His game definitely has potential: hard shot, some speed and skill. Obviously still a ways to go to round out his game, but I am hopeful pic.twitter.com/nZA2OMWeQQ— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) July 1, 2024
Treliving, meanwhile, claimed he has no plans to deal Robertson despite the latter’s trade request earlier this summer, calling Robertson an “excellent” player while adding the Maple Leafs “need him” to make a mark with the team this season and beyond.
“I have certainly known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player,” Treliving said. “There is great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us.
“I am not going to get into any speculation or public back-and-forth. We will just leave it at that and continue to move forward.”
Robertson, meanwhile, has publicly expressed frustrations with his situation, most recently during the 2023-24 season when he was once again loaned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
“It’s been kind of weird,” he said. “I’ve just been practicing on my own while the guys were on the road and just waiting for my turn, I guess.”
Robertson, a restricted free agent, must sign a deal with either Toronto or another squad by December 1, or he’ll be ineligible to play in the 2024-25 season. The Maple Leafs can also trade his rights to another club. The 22-year-old could also be handed an “offer sheet” from other teams around the league, which would force Toronto to either match the offer and re-sign Robertson to those terms, or lose him for draft-pick compensation.
A situation similar to this just played out with former Oilers youngsters Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, who were offer-sheeted by the St. Louis Blues. Tight against the salary cap with some big contracts looming on the horizon, Edmonton opted not to match and instead will receive the Blues’ second and third-round selections in the 2025 NHL Draft, per NHL compensation guidelines, while Holloway and Broberg were officially shipped to St. Louis.
Toronto has brought in a new head coach as Cup-winning bench boss Craig Berube takes over for Sheldon Keefe, and the Leafs’ left-wing depth — at the moment — is pretty scarce. This means, at least theoretically, Robertson could have a better chance this season to seize an impact roll for Toronto than he has at anytime in the past. But, at least so far, none of those factors have led him to reconsider his desire for a fresh start. But that could all change in a hurry.
Robertson has dressed in just 87 games for Toronto over parts of four seasons, tallying 17 goals and 34 points. The California product suited up for six of the Maple Leafs’ seven postseason games last spring, recording zero points against the Boston Bruins in their first-round matchup.
Leave a Reply