Nick Robertson is looking for a fresh start.
Five years after the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted him, Robertson informed the team he doesn’t intend to sign a new contract this summer and would like to be traded, a league source confirmed.
Sources say that RFA Nick Robertson has no plans to re-sign with the #leafs this summer and has informed the team that he would like to be traded.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2024
The Leafs extended a qualifying offer to Robertson before Sunday’s deadline, retaining his rights as a restricted free agent.
His desire to move on is hardly ideal for Toronto as Robertson figured to be a source of low-cost offense next season. The 22-year-old scored 14 goals in 56 games last season, while playing only 11.5 minutes a night. It was his longest-lasting NHL opportunity.
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He still struggled to hold down a spot in the lineup and was scratched 13 times in the regular season, then again in the playoffs with the Leafs season on the line in Game 7. Robertson didn’t record a point in the six postseason games he did play in against the Boston Bruins. He averaged less than 10 minutes per game.
Robertson has been frustrated by the lack of opportunity he’s gotten over the years. Injuries frequently stalled his progress. He’s played a total of 87 regular-season games in those five years for Toronto, plus 10 more in the playoffs.
He started last season in the minors and found himself leapfrogged for opportunity by Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann.
Former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe never seemed to fully trust Robertson’s ability to hold his own defensively and take care of the puck. Ryan Reaves was the only regular up front for Toronto to play fewer minutes on average last season.
Robertson wasn’t even granted consistent opportunity on the Leafs’ No. 2 power-play unit. Thirteen of his 14 goals came at even strength.
At 5-foot-9 and 179 pounds, Robertson doesn’t exactly feel like a fit for the “heavy” style of new Toronto coach Craig Berube. Nor was he drafted by current Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.
As a restricted free agent, Robertson doesn’t have much leverage, other than to withhold his services. Toronto won’t be in a rush to move him unless they find a deal they like.