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Nick Robertson’s Contract Standoff Could Get Ugly for Maple Leafs
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson is headed toward an arbitration hearing with the club on Sunday, Aug. 3, after the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

The gap between Robertson’s request and the Maple Leafs’ offer is $1.05 million, but the standoff has become one of the most contentious contract negotiations of the offseason.

The Robertson case, as reported by Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman on Saturday, is the only one remaining.

Maple Leafs-Nick Robertson Contract Dispute Raises Stakes

Robertson filed for arbitration himself, seeking $2.25 million for the 2025–26 season. The Maple Leafs countered with a $1.2 million offer.

The midpoint, set at $1.725 million, sounds like a fair valuation given Robertson's age, recent play, and comparable contracts around the league. Yet the lack of a resolution could signal deeper issues that go beyond salary.

Toronto will have the right to choose the length of Robertson's deal as awarded via arbitration, whether that's one (ending in restricted free agency) or two (ending in unrestricted free agency) years.

Nick Robertson's Strained Maple Leafs Relationship and Uncertain Role

Robertson, 23, is coming off scoring 15 goals in 69 regular-season games. He finished seventh in team scoring, with no player outside of that group scoring more than eight goals last season.

However, Robertson managed just 22 total points, dropping from the 27 he scored in 2023–24 while appearing in 13 fewer games two years ago.

Robertson also appeared in only three of Toronto’s 13 postseason games this year, compared to six appearances last playoffs.

His inconsistencies, paired with a history of injuries and a trade request, have cast doubt on Robertson's future with Toronto.

As was the case already last offseason, when Robertson and the Leafs only agreed to a one-year contract on the verge of the start of the regular season, the Leafs still appear undecided on whether Robertson is a core piece or trade asset.

Toronto Faces Long-Term Risks for Short-Term Savings

The Leafs could still avoid arbitration by settling near the midpoint ahead of Sunday's hearing. That said, Toronto might opt to wait and build a case against their player, trying to win the arbitration process and bring Robertson back at a lower cap hit.

With top players like team captain Auston Matthews and star winger William Nylander locked in at high-dollar values, the margins to build and keep together a contending roster are tiny.

More troubling for Toronto is the potential fallout from a hearing. Arbitration proceedings often involve teams highlighting a player’s deficiencies, which can sour long-term relationships, especially with younger players. If Sunday’s hearing proceeds, tensions could escalate further.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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