Toronto Maple Leafs back Nick Robertson into a corner as he runs out of options
After asking to be traded from the team weeks ago, reports indicate that the Toronto Maple Leafs have backed Nick Robertson into a corner as he runs out of signing options.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are close to their cap space limit, with two players still unsigned. One of these two, Nick Robertson, made it clear several weeks ago that he wanted to be traded away from the team. Despite the quickly approaching 2024-25 season,the 22-year-old RFA has made it clear to TSN's Chris Johnston that he still wants to play elsewhere in the league, hoping he can get a shot at some real top-six forward ice time.
But at this stage, Nick Robertson doesn't seem inclined to sign in Toronto and is sticking to the idea that he'd like to play somewhere else. And so I think they have to kind of sort that out first or as part of this."
However, recent reports indicate it may be harder to get off the roster than previously thought. According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Nick Robertson has less leverage than he and his agent Pat Brisson would have hoped. He then shared the example of Martin Necas who, after asking for a trade, re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes simply because it was the best deal he could get as an RFA.
It's still early. Deadlines tend to spur signings but... he doesn't have a lot of leverage.
I don't know that nothing can be done. We've seen elsewhere this offseason where players who were asking for a change of scenery and then ended up signing. Martin Necas is example number one. When you're an RFA there's only so much you can do. But checking in yesterday, moving on is his top desire."
With such a short time left before the 2024-25 season starts, the chances of Nick Robertson finding a new home in the league seem further away than he and Toronto fans may like.
Yet, with only Matthew Knies as an NHL-level player registered as a left-wing forward on the Maple Leafs roster, he may get the bigger role he was hoping for anyway, just with the wrong team.
| POLL | ||
Will Nick Roberston sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the upcoming NHL season? | ||
| Yes | 190 | 48 % |
| No | 206 | 52 % |
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