Maple Leafs Need to Be Smart About Robertson and Maccelli

The restricted free agent (RFA) questions about Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli are a situation where the Toronto Maple Leafs could overreact or actually set themselves up smartly. What should the team do with these two young players?

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Robertson Has Grown Into a Middle-Six Scorer

Robertson’s been the soap-opera player for years, but this past season, he finally looked like a legit middle-six guy who can finish chances. He’s still young, fast, and cheap relative to what he can bring, so a short-term deal in the $2–3M range makes a lot of sense if Toronto wants to keep that spark.

If the new front office is angling for a big swing trade, Robertson is the kind of asset you can use as a sweetener. But the team should remember that he’s not easy to replace for that price. You trade him, you better be sure you’re getting real value back, because cheap speed and scoring punches are rare.

Maccelli Started Slowly, But Got Better as the Season Progressed

Maccelli’s a different vibe. He was quiet early but came alive down the stretch and has made it clear he wants to stay, which actually matters in a locker room that needs buy-in. If you trust the young core and want continuity, giving him a short-term bridge deal to see if the second-half jump sticks is the logical move.

Letting him walk to save a little cap cash, or out of impatience, would be a move you could regret. He is a genuine offensive contributor who gels with the team. Those kinds of guys aren’t lying around on the cheap. If a GM comes in and decides to blow things up, you could move his RFA rights, but only if the return is concrete and upgrades the team.

What Should the Maple Leafs Do with Robertson and Maccelli?

How do you actually approach this? If the goal is to compete next season, bring Robertson back on a cheap deal for depth scoring and give Maccelli a short-term contract so he can prove he belongs. That gives you some stability and potential without spending too much.

If the new management wants a roster overhaul, use Robertson as a tradable piece. He’s young, affordable, and will garner some interest. Only move Maccelli for a clear top-six upgrade. Don’t burn both at once unless you’re rebuilding in earnest.

Don’t Punt Players You Can’t Replace for the Same Price

The bottom line is that the Maple Leafs shouldn’t punt on players with upside. Robertson is a valuable, cost-controlled scorer. Maccelli is a budding contributor who wants to stay. Keep at least one, preferably both, on short-term deals unless you’re receiving real, tangible upgrades in return.

That way, the team keeps flexibility and avoids gutting depth for marginal gains.

Related: What One Maple Leafs Group Administrator Said About the Team