The Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Nick Robertson ended their stalemate, agreeing on a one-year, $875,000 contract, the club announced Tuesday.
Robertson, previously a restricted free agent, reportedly requested a trade in late June and didn't plan to re-up with Toronto at the time. A report last week said Robertson still preferred a change of address.
He may still get the outcome he originally desired.
Despite new contract, belief is Nick Robertson is still more likely to be traded than open the season with the #Leafs.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 10, 2024
There is still solid interest in Robertson. And it's always easier to trade an asset under contract as opposed to an RFA, which helped him sign.
The winger, who turns 23 on Wednesday, established career highs with 14 goals, 13 assists, and 56 games played for the Maple Leafs last season. Injuries have marred his time in the pros, as he appeared in only 31 NHL games over the previous three campaigns due to numerous ailments.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving acknowledged in early July that Robertson was disgruntled.
"Obviously, I have known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player," the GM said at the time. "There's a great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us."
Robertson has been up and down between the NHL and the AHL's Toronto Marlies since the abbreviated 2021 season. He made his NHL debut during the 2019-2020 playoffs, scoring a goal in four contests. But he's played 60 AHL games compared to 87 at the highest level since 2021.
The California-born skater was held pointless in six playoff games for the Leafs in 2023-24. He did show promise with the Marlies when healthy, however. Robertson produced at a point-per-game pace in a small sample size with the farm club in 2021-22, collecting 16 goals and 12 assists over 28 contests.
Toronto drafted Robertson, the younger brother of Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, 53rd overall in 2019.
