Now Is When Nick Robertson Forces the Maple Leafs’ Hand

Nick Robertson just had his best full year — and Toronto keeps acting like he’s background noise. He stayed healthy, set new career marks, and did it in about 12 minutes a night in the middle six.

That’s the definition of bang for your buck. Over the last three seasons, he’s put up 14, 15, and 16 goals, and he jumped from 22 to 32 points this year. While these are far from eye-popping, they give Maple Leafs fans a real taste of his potential. They’re even more impressive once you realize how little ice time he’s actually getting.

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Robertson Could Give the Maple Leafs a Regular 20-Goal Scorer

Robertson was a second-round pick who can score in short bursts — give him top-six time, some power-play reps, and better linemates, and he’s a legit 25-goal guy. Hit the right groove, and 50 points is doable.

That’s the kind of return you want from a cheap asset. If the Maple Leafs don’t think so, then offer him to the rest of the NHL. Or they can keep him as a low-cost depth scorer or flip him for real value. Both options are wins compared to letting him ride the pine or underutilizing him.

Why Robertson Is So Valuable

Robertson’s the kind of player who does real damage without needing top-line minutes — depth scoring like that is pure gold in the cap era. He’s a natural finisher, too: his shooting percentage jumps in streaks, so more looks = more goals.

On top of that, he’s trending up and actually stayed healthy, which matters way more than fans admit — availability plus production = legit value. And he fits what the Leafs need: they’ve got creators and elite scorers, but guys who can finish chances like Robertson are the difference between “good” and a real contender.

If the Maple Leafs Want Him, What Would His Contract Look Like?

If Toronto wants to keep him, a short bridge deal makes a lot of sense. He’s two years from UFA, so a two-year deal that walks him to market works for both sides. Robertson gets paid and a chance to prove himself, while the Maple Leafs keep flexibility.

If Maple Leafs management wants cost certainty and to avoid a bidding war, a four-year deal in the $3.5–4M AAV range feels fair. You’d be locking in a likely 20-goal player at a reasonable price.

But if the Maple Leafs don’t intend to actually use him, then trade him now. His value may be peaking. Teams love young wingers who can score in limited roles. Better to get a useful asset back than watch him sit or risk losing him for nothing.

The Bottom Line for Robertson and the Maple Leafs

Robertson is an under-the-radar value. He’s cheap, improving, and has real upside. Smart money says the Maple Leafs shouldn’t let him become a “what if” story. Either give him a legitimate shot in the top six and reward a developing part of your roster, or flip him for something that helps the team.

Keeping him around but never fully using him is just frustrating for the youngster and wasteful for the organization.

Related: Insider: Maple Leafs Doing Due Diligence on the Two GM Finalists