OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Peterborough Petes left wing Nick Robertson 16 during warm-up before Ontario Hockey League action between the Peterborough Petes and Ottawa 67 s on September 29, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire OHL: SEP 29 Peterborough Petes at Ottawa 67 s PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon190929010
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Peterborough Petes left wing Nick Robertson 16 during warm-up before Ontario Hockey League action between the Peterborough Petes and Ottawa 67 s on September 29, 2019, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire OHL: SEP 29 Peterborough Petes at Ottawa 67 s PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon190929010
After a roster change, former Toronto Maple Leafs star Nicholas Robertson shared some honest takes on playing with his new team and the one he left behind.
“It was a really big focus for me to get some term and to settle in, and give me time to get some runway in Pittsburgh,” he said during a recent appearance on TSN’s Overdrive. “I’m happy the way it turned out, and I’m really excited.”
Robertson’s 32 points across 78 games in the 2025-26 season marked his 6th and last year in Toronto. The former overall 53rd draft pick from the 2019 draft signed a 2-year, $6.5M contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 14, 2026.
September 23, 2021, Toronto, on, Canada: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson, left, drives around Maple Leafs forward Nick Ritchie, right, during NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA training camp in Toronto on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Canada News - September 23, 2021 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAc35_ 20210923_zaf_c35_044 Copyright: xNathanxDenettex
September 23, 2021, Toronto, on, Canada: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson, left, drives around Maple Leafs forward Nick Ritchie, right, during NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA training camp in Toronto on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Canada News - September 23, 2021 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAc35_ 20210923_zaf_c35_044 Copyright: xNathanxDenettex
Ranking 6th in goals in his team, his departure will dent Toronto's offense, given the team's already disappointing 28th finish in the 2025-26 season. However, he is excited to live a different story in Pittsburgh.
“It’s been great to get the deal done, and not go to arbitration is nice,” he added to the same segment. I’m just excited for this new opportunity in Pittsburgh; it’s a fresh start, I’m pumped.”
A fresh start and more opportunities await Robertson. But going forward, there are no hard feelings for the Leafs.
Nicholas Robertson Had Positive Remarks About the Toronto Maple Leafs
Despite his promising stat lines, the 24-year-old has never risen to an extended top-six role. His average ice time has been limited to 11:51, mostly in the third line under former coach Craig Berube. But that doesn’t mean the Leafs haven’t been benefiting at all.
“Toronto, we had such a talented team. I would get in the mix with some players,” he added to the same segment. “I had to be on my game all the time, whether that was with (Craig Berube) or (Sheldon Keefe) in my first full year.”
“But I think it’s always a blessing in disguise because you can’t get complacent,” he added. “Whether you’re up and down the lineup, you got to work your way to either get up in the lineup or to stay there.”
He’ll earn $3.25M AAV in Pittsburgh compared to the $1.825M Toronto gave him last season. This suggests that the Penguins GM Kyle Dubas sees Robertson as more than a third-liner averaging 12 minutes a game.
Now, it’ll be thrilling to see whether he rises to that role or the Leafs structure repeats.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy