Berube Distrusts Robertson; Maple Leafs $1.82M Settlement Fuels NHL Trade Speculations | Times of India NHL Bulletin

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reached a one-year, $1.82 million deal with Nick Robertson for the 2025-26 season, avoiding arbitration. However, the new contract has not put an end to rumors about his future with the Club.

Under the leadership of new head coach Craig Berube, the Maple Leafs are reshaping their roster, which has led to speculation that Robertson might be used as a trade chip rather than a long-term asset for the Club.

The Leafs are looking to alter their “DNA” significantly. After nine successive years of postseason exits before reaching the Conference Finals, the Club now seeks a tougher, more physical approach to their gameplay. New additions like Mattias Macelli and Nicolas Roy are expected to replace Mitch Marner’s offensive output, while Scott Laughton and Dakota Joshua will add grit to the fourth line.

In this new setup, Robertson’s profile doesn’t particularly shine. The 23-year-old winger offers speed and scoring ability but lacks size and physicality, traits Berube evidently values. Analyst Michael Amato has gone as far as to say that it’s “hard to envision Robertson making his way into head coach Craig Berube’s trusted list of players.”

Robertson’s exclusion from the postseason last year, where he played only three of Toronto’s 13 playoff matches, evidenced this lack of trust.

However, Robertson’s scoring prowess doesn’t necessarily secure him a role with the Leafs. While he netted 15 goals last season, 11 of those were against non-playoff teams, fueling questions about his consistency against tougher competition. Nonetheless, his two successive campaigns scoring at a 20-goal pace make him a viable target for teams looking for middle-six scoring.

At $1.82 million, teams struggling offensively may see Robertson as a high-value acquisition. His potential move has been discussed on Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts podcast, with Jacob Punturi from Sports Illustrated naming the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins as potential suitors.

For Toronto, Robertson may be a necessary loss in their cultural shift. However, for another team, he could be the missing piece. His $1.82 million contract could be the stepping stone towards a likely trade.