The Toronto Maple Leafs have some intriguing roster camp battles in training camp.
One player who is competing for a roster spot is Nick Robertson, who has struggled to be an every-game player for the Maple Leafs. He signed a one-year, $1.825 million deal with Toronto this offseason, but he isn’t guaranteed a spot.
Maple Leafs insider Jonas Siegel of The Athletic says the most likely outcome is that Toronto trades Robertson at the end of camp.
“We saw a version of this play out last fall with Timothy Liljegren, another player who had been around a long time without ever quite nailing down a firm position within the organization,” Siegel wrote. “Despite clear reservations with the player, the Leafs brought Liljegren back on a new contract in the summer of 2024 only to see him banished, almost immediately, by head coach Craig Berube. Liljegren played exactly one game. He sat in nine others before GM Brad Treliving finally dealt him to the Sharks at the end of October.
“This path feels all the more likely for Robertson if the Leafs get through the preseason with few to no injuries and Berube finds a lineup he likes that doesn’t include Robertson,” Siegel added. “As with Liljegren, Robertson has made it clear he isn’t especially thrilled to be back with the Leafs. Keeping him around, if he isn’t going to play regularly, doesn’t suit player or team. Maybe Treliving decides to do right by Robertson, who has always given the team everything he has, by moving him at the first sign of interest this fall.”
Robertson would be a good change of scenery candidate as he doesn’t have a clear path to playing time with the Maple Leafs.
Insider Lists Teams Potentially Interested in Robertson
If the Maple Leafs do trade Robertson, there should be some teams interested in him.
Robertson is a young scoring winger, and when given the chance, he does produce. With that, Siegel expects the likes of the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins to have interest in the winger.
“The question is whether there’s a team out there that’s willing to take a flier on Robertson at $1.825 million on the cap, with restricted free agency (and potential arbitration) ahead next summer,” Siegel added. “Why not San Jose? Or Chicago? Or Pittsburgh, which is led by the GM who drafted Robertson way back in 2019 with the Leafs?”
Robertson was selected in the 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Robertson Hoping to Make Maple Leafs Roster
The former second-round pick is in a roster battle and is hoping to earn a roster spot.
Robertson believes that always being in a roster competition and signing one-year deals could be a blessing in disguise for him.
“I don’t really want to go into it. I think that’s just part of the business side, talking to my agent (Pat Brisson) and taking the best steps for myself personally, and I’m just happy it worked out like that,” Robertson said. “It’s just what came about. I’m not looking much into it. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. You’ve got to work. It’s a contract year. If I sign an eight-year deal or one-year deal, my mindset is coming in and working hard and improving myself.”
Robertson recorded 15 goals and 7 assists for 22 points in 69 games.
Insider Shares Most ‘Likely’ Outcome For Robertson’s Future With Maple Leafs