The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed Nick Robertson for one more year for the 2025-26 NHL season, but the native of Pasadena is far from having his place on the team secured.
Robertson signed a new $1.825 million deal with the Maple Leafs to continue representing the Canadian team through the upcoming season. In recent statements to The Athletic, coach Craig Berube hinted that the player does not have his spot guaranteed.
“There’s a lot of competition at camp. I’ll leave it at that,” said Berube. “There are jobs available, and again, it’s a competition. You gotta come in and play your a– off and earn a spot.”
This deal could end up being a negative move for the Maple Leafs.
To begin with, Robertson did not manage to establish himself as a starter last season and was a healthy scratch in the playoffs for Toronto.
Maple Leafs’ offseason moves create logjam for Nick Robertson
The Maple Leafs added Mattias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua and Michael Pezzetta, which makes it even more difficult to find a space for Robertson. Even if Berube plans to use a deep rotation, the value of the deal signed by Robertson does not match the potential low impact he would generate on the team. DailyFaceoff does not currently project Robertson to have a role on the team’s top four lines.
Berube spoke about competition and meritocracy, without projecting Robertson as a fixed player. Therefore, if the player’s profile does not entirely fit, there is a high risk that the return on investment of the contract will be low. Robertson will have to generate a very positive impression during Toronto’s camp to earn Berube’s trust.
