Maple Leafs Arbitration Filing Paints Clear Picture For Nick Robertson's Future

Last off-season, Nick Robertson requested a trade out of Toronto before being given a chance by then new bench boss Craig Berube to find a spot in the lineup. Robertson quietly rescinded his request and signed a one-year pact with the club days before training camp.

Robertson finds himself in a similar situation this off-season, and is likely questioning where he fits into a lineup that has added Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy up front. This time around, however, Robertson has arbitration rights and was one of 11 players to file for a hearing.

On Friday morning, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed the salary filings the Leafs and Robertson made ahead of their August 3rd hearing.

Robertson filed for a $2.25M salary, while Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs countered with a $1.2M salary.

It may seem far apart, but as is often the case with arbitration, the two sides file on extreme ends hoping for an award in the middle. That being said, the Leafs didn't file for an absurdly low salary, indicating that they do, in fact, see Robertson as a future member of the team.

Despite getting off to a shaky start with Berube, Robertson not only cracked the opening night roster for the first time, but he skated in a career-high 69 games for the Leafs contributing 15 goals and 22 points to the Leafs' Atlantic Division title.

Although there are plenty of new faces up front, Robertson has the advantage of familiarity heading into training camp. If he can find the consistency and production he had during his OHL days, he can really help the Leafs reach new heights in 2025-26 and beyond.