Nick Robertson spent six seasons trying to establish himself as a permanent part of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup without ever getting there.
The former second-round pick appeared in 234 games for Toronto, scoring 88 points but averaging only 11:52 of ice time. Robertson was always moving up and down the lineup, had to endure healthy scratches, and never secured the consistent top-six role he wanted.
The Maple Leafs finally traded Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2028 fourth-round pick on July 1. Pittsburgh then signed the restricted free agent to a two-year, $6.5 million contract carrying a $3.25 million annual value.
Following all of the uncertainty that defined his time in Toronto, Robertson appeared on "TSN's OverDrive" and talked about his six-year tenure with the Maple Leafs.
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“[What I learned was] always be ready,” Robertson said. “Toronto had such a talented team, and I had to be on my game all the time, whether that was with [head coach Craig Berube] or [Sheldon Keefe].”
Robertson said Toronto’s deep roster forced him to remain prepared regardless of his role or whether he was in the lineup, but ultimately praised the organization for the opportunities it gave him.
“I think it's always a blessing in disguise because you can't get complacent,” Robertson said. “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.”
Robertson improved steadily during his time in Toronto and recorded career highs last season with 16 goals, 16 assists and 32 points in 78 games. Still, the Maple Leafs moved him after adding forwards at the draft and then in free agency.
Robertson's new contract will provide him more security than he experienced with the Maple Leafs, as it's the first time since he entered the league on a three-year, entry-level deal that he's signed for more than one season.
“For my full time playing in the NHL, I’ve yet to have another season under contract,” Robertson said. “That was a really big focus for me, was to get some term and to settle in and give me time to get some runway in Pittsburgh.”
