In the midst of anticipation for the upcoming Toronto Maple Leafs training camp, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the presence of restricted free agent Nick Robertson. The young talent, who had an impressive 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games last season, remains unsigned as the countdown to the season opener continues.
Despite his on-ice success, Robertson shockingly requested a trade from the organization on June 30, leaving fans and analysts speculating about his future with the Maple Leafs. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun shed some light on the situation, revealing Robertson’s desire for a change of scenery.
“He still would prefer a change of address,” LeBrun discussed on TSN’s OverDrive. “But that has been slow going on that. Got a pretty powerful agent in Pat Brisson, but checking with a couple different people involved today, he’s training back home and waiting for a resolution. But the process certainly hasn’t moved along as fast as I think his camp would like so we’ll see where that goes.”
The 22-year-old winger, a second-round pick by Toronto in 2019, has been a key figure in the organization’s plans for the future. However, with the coaching change from Sheldon Keefe to Craig Berube and the emergence of new prospects like Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann, Robertson’s role within the team remains uncertain.
Robertson is just one of many prominent RFAs across the league facing contract disputes as the 2024-25 season approaches. Players like Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Cole Perfetti, and Jeremy Swayman are all in need of new deals, leading LeBrun to speculate on the potential for unresolved negotiations lingering into the start of the regular season.
“I always caution people that a lot of these go right down to the wire and that includes the Nick Robertson situation,” LeBrun cautioned. “There’s certainly no guarantee that he gets moved, he doesn’t have a lot of leverage in this situation.”
As the Maple Leafs gear up for training camp, all eyes will be on Robertson and his contract status, with fans eagerly awaiting the resolution of this ongoing saga. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure – the drama surrounding Robertson’s future in Toronto is far from over.
