Treliving added some size on defense by bringing in Chris Tanev and Jani Hakanpää, while also re-signing Max Domi and Timothy Liljegren. Amidst these moves, reports emerged that Nick Robertson wanted out of Toronto, a request that could further thin their forward depth following the loss of Bertuzzi.
While the timing of Robertson’s trade request is less than ideal for the Maple Leafs, Treliving’s response suggests Robertson’s future with the team remains uncertain.
Treliving Not Set on Moving Robertson
The free-agent market is still active, but when it comes to options for the Maple Leafs’ bottom six, Robertson remains a valuable asset for Treliving. His comments reflect this sentiment.
“I have certainly known that there was some frustration with Nick, but we look at Nick as an excellent player,” said Treliving regarding the 22-year-old’s turbulent tenure with the Maple Leafs. “There is great opportunity for Nick here. We need him to be a good player for us.”
The Maple Leafs extended a qualifying offer to Robertson, but Chris Johnston reported that Robertson asked for a trade and indicated he would not re-sign with the team.
Team captain John Tavares also weighed in, saying, “He’s faced a lot of adversity through his time with us. Obviously has dealt with some tough injuries, and he just keeps coming back.”
Despite the trade request, Treliving and the Leafs appear hopeful about retaining Robertson and giving him a bigger role now that Bertuzzi is gone. While Treliving declined to comment further on the speculation, he mentioned the team would look to move forward from this situation.
Robertson’s Impact When Healthy
Over the past four seasons, Robertson has played just 87 regular-season games for the Maple Leafs, primarily due to injuries, including a broken leg, knee injury, concussion, and groin and abdomen issues. Despite these setbacks, he had his most productive NHL season in 2023-24, scoring 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games while averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game.
Robertson posted a career-best 14.6% shooting percentage on 96 shots. His 34 points in 87 games highlight his potential value to the team.
Late in the 2023-24 season, Robertson ranked fourth on the Maple Leafs in 5v5 goals per 60 minutes at 1.12, behind only Auston Matthews (1.76), Bobby McMann (1.27), and William Nylander (1.26). This rate suggests Robertson could achieve a 20-25 goal season if given a full-time role.
Marner’s Future Could Affect Robertson
Another factor is the speculation surrounding Mitch Marner’s future with the team. If Marner is traded, Robertson might be relied upon to help fill the offensive void, leading to increased ice time and responsibilities.
As Treliving continues to shape the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster, it’s clear he is not ready to part ways with Robertson. Given the significant roster changes this offseason, keeping Robertson could be crucial. At just 22 years old, Robertson still holds considerable potential, and the Maple Leafs have a history of prematurely giving up on young talent.
For now, Treliving’s stance suggests that trading Robertson is not an option. The team hopes to capitalize on his potential and contributions, especially in light of recent roster changes
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