After spending parts of five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, 22-year-old winger Nick Robertson would reportedly like a change of scenery. From the sounds of it, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving isn’t chomping at the bit to ship Robertson out of town.
Treliving spoke about Robertson recently, after news circulated about his trade demand.
“I’ve known there was some frustration with Nick, on his behalf. We look at Nick as an excellent player, and there’s great opportunity for Nick here, and we need him to be a good player for us.”
Treliving didn’t draft Robertson in 2019 and hasn’t been around through all the chaos but it appears pretty obvious the Maple Leafs’ GM thinks Robertson should reconsider his trade request because of the potential playing time available next season and beyond.
Robertson’s had a rough go as a Maple Leaf. From serious injuries to getting stuck in a hard-cap world and numbers game to enter some seasons, the California native has seen it all. Despite being drafted five years ago, Robertson has 87 career NHL games under his belt, has scored 17 goals and added 17 assists, and for the most part, hasn’t been given consistent top-six minutes. The shifty offensive winger who has a lethal shot, has seen a ton of time on the Leafs’ third line in more of a checking role. Considering his defensive flaws and the fact he’s 5-foot-9 and doesn’t have the game or physicality to be an effective checking winger, Robertson hasn’t been able to flourish or develop into the prospect many felt he could be.
Robertson’s aware of this, he’s been frustrated for quite some time and he’s been very candid throughout it all.
“I know my name isn’t what it used to be. I don’t give a f–k. I believe. I believe in anything,” Robertson told The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke prior to the 2023-24 season.
“In the long run, I know this is an important year for me. I didn’t want to miss training camp. It was a tough decision for me. It really was. But it was something I had to be mature about”, said Robertson, speaking on deciding for shoulder surgery which took him out of action late in the 2022-23 season. Robertson ended up being 100% healthy for training camp last season, he was a shining star throughout the preseason and did he end up winning a top-six role? No. He was optioned to the AHL to start the season, as the team gave 2022 second-rounder Fraser Minten a four-game look instead, while Robertson had to wait a month to get called back up.
With a new coach in town, and a clean slate to build some trust, especially on the defensive side of the puck, the Maple Leafs sound hopeful Robertson will reconsider wanting out.
Moving Robertson comes with substantial risk
After losing Tyler Bertuzzi to free agency and missing out on signing Jeff Skinner, the Maple Leafs head into next season browsing their roster for secondary scoring. Losing Robertson and potentially a 20-goal season could mean the Leafs offense takes a huge hit this summer.
Treliving has to make a very calculated move if he sends Robertson packing. Right now, Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann and potentially Max Domi line up as the top left-wing options. There hasn’t been a clear direction on where Domi will play, but without Robertson, those are the three-best options for the left side.
The Maple Leafs may want to consider trying to land a player in exchange who can battle for top-nine minutes up front as apposed to a defenseman. Even with Easton Cowan and Minten likely battling for NHL jobs next season, they’re serious question marks or wild cards if you will, so nothing is written in stone.
Toronto is already projected to be over the salary cap and needs to make a move or two to be compliant to start the season. Robertson received a qualifying offer but at this point doesn’t have a contract for next season and as it’s been reported, isn’t interested in negotiating much with the Maple Leafs.
Robertson wants to move on, and after a number of injuries, a head coach who apparently didn’t him, and playing him out of position for almost five seasons, it’s likely best both sides move on. Treliving needs to be careful to not set the Leafs back with this trade. He needs to find a forward who can immediately jump into a top-nine role and ensure the Maple Leafs offense is balanced as much as can be heading into next season.
