The Maple Leafs traded Nick Robertson to Pittsburgh. Dan Hamilton / Imagn ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 11:29 am EDTThe Nick Robertson era is finally over in Toronto.The Maple Leafs sent Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick, according to league sources who spoke on the condition anonymity to address negotiations that aren’t public.The trade reunites Robertson with Kyle Dubas, the GM who drafted him with the Leafs in the second round of the 2019 draft.Debuting for the Leafs in the 2020 playoffs, Robertson had a bumpy time with the franchise, never quite finding the role and opportunity he sought. There were multiple trade requests, many stints in the press box as a healthy scratch, and never enough minutes for Robertson’s liking.
He had signed one-year contracts in each of the past two seasons.Though he never averaged more than 13 minutes a game as a Leaf, Robertson showed that he could score a bit with the ice time he did get.He managed a career-best 16 goals last season, 15 goals in 69 games the season before that, and 14 goals in 56 games in his first full season.He is worth the bet for a Penguins team that’s trying to get younger. Robertson turns 25 in September and has long been in need of a fresh start.The Leafs issued a qualifying offer to Robertson on Monday. By keeping his rights — over letting him go as a free agent, as they did with Matias Maccelli — the Leafs were able to net a mid-round pick from the Penguins.This story will be updated.
