The Pittsburgh Penguins aimed to make a postseason run in the 2023-24 season after missing the playoffs in 2023. However, they fell short and couldn’t clinch a playoff berth.
Despite a late-season push, the Penguins missed the playoffs and now face a crucial decision: rebuild for the post-Sidney Crosby future or give the longtime captain another shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
Judging by recent moves, the Penguins seem to be pursuing the latter. Last season, they added veterans such as defensemen Ryan Graves and Erik Karlsson, and forward Lars Eller. This offseason, they acquired veteran Kevin Hayes.
However, the franchise is also looking to add younger players who can contribute both now and in the future.
Potential Trade Target: Nicholas Robertson
Tristin McKinstry of Clutch Points suggests that the Penguins might target disgruntled Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson. Robertson recently completed his entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs and became a restricted free agent on July 1. As of July 15, he remains unsigned.
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas’s Connection with Robertson
Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ current president of hockey operations, was the Maple Leafs’ GM when Robertson was drafted. The Leafs selected Robertson with the 53rd pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and McKinstry believes Dubas’s existing relationship with Robertson could facilitate a trade.
“One of [the] more notable moves the Penguins made last summer didn’t involve a player. Rather, it was a change in their front office structure. Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas joined Pittsburgh after his contract expired,” McKinstry wrote. “He spent multiple years in Toronto as their front office decision maker. And one decision he made was to draft forward Nicholas Robertson in 2019.”
“Perhaps Dubas can bring out the potential he saw in the former Peterborough Petes star back during the 2019 NHL Draft.”
Robertson’s Professional Struggles and Trade Request
Since debuting in the 2020-21 season, Robertson has played 87 regular-season games, scoring 17 goals and assisting on 17 others for a total of 34 points. During the 2023-24 season, Robertson scored 14 goals and 13 assists in 56 games but failed to score a single point in six playoff outings.
Robertson has struggled with injuries and has found it difficult to establish himself in Toronto. As McKinstry points out, Robertson has requested a trade because of these struggles and could benefit from a fresh start.
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“Robertson has not had the easiest time in professional hockey (…) He has struggled with injuries since turning pro,” McKinstry wrote. “[Robertson’s stats] aren’t eye-popping numbers from the 22-year-old. But they suggest that he can provide some value to a team if he receives a role in the NHL. Robertson has requested a trade from the Maple Leafs this summer.”
Maple Leafs GM Acknowledges Robertson’s Trade Request
Ahead of free agency on July 1, Robertson informed the Maple Leafs that he did not intend to sign a contract extension, according to NHL insider Chris Johnston. Toronto extended a qualifying offer to Robertson on June 30.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving seemed to confirm the rumors without explicitly mentioning Robertson’s trade request.
“Obviously, I have known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player. There’s great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us,” Treliving said on July 1 via TSN’s Mark Masters.
In an interview with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox published on April 11, Robertson expressed uncertainty about his future with the Leafs.
“It’s my first [negotiation]. I can’t say I’m worried about it now; I don’t even know how this process works. But I haven’t heard anything. I just play. It’s kind of nice knowing that [my agent will deal with it], though. I want to play and let him worry about that,” Robertson said.
Contract Projections and Cap Space
AFP Analytics projects Robertson to sign a two-year, $2.7 million contract with a cap hit slightly above $1.3 million.
According to PuckPedia, the Penguins still have $3.5 million in cap space, which should be sufficient to complete a sign-and-trade for Robertson if they choose to target the Maple Leafs forward.
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