Report: Nick Robertson doesn’t plan on re-signing with Maple Leafs

One of the highly-regarded young players in the Six looks to be heading on his way out.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, forward Nick Robertson has informed the Toronto Maple Leafs that he does not plan on re-signing with the team. Johnston also says that Robertson has let the Maple Leafs know he wants to be traded.

Robertson is coming off his most productive season in the NHL. In 56 games, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points, all career highs. The 22-year-old also played nine games for the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

Toronto is the only team that Robertson has ever played for. He was taken by the Leafs in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, and made his NHL debut during the 2020 postseason. However, his tenure with the organization has been tenuous. An injury early in the 2020-21 season led to him only playing six games. Then, in December 2021, shoulder surgery ended up forcing the Pasadena, California native to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. Robertson ended up playing just 15 games during the 2022-23 season.

When Robertson was healthy, many wondered if the team had put him in the best position to succeed, given the offensive ability that made him a hot prospect during his time with the OHL’s Peterborough Petes. However, with Toronto having loads of talent up front, it has been tough for Robertson to crack the top six.

Over the past four years, Robertson has appeared in 87 NHL games, scoring 17 goals and 17 assists, posting a goal in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He has also played in 60 games in the AHL, notching 27 goals and 30 assists.

Robertson is at the end of his entry-level contract, which saw him making $796,667 over the past three seasons. The restricted free agent’s qualifying offer would be $813,750.