Maple Leafs insider drops major update on winger and names three interested teams

The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun their preseason activities, and trades are expected before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Insider Jonas Siegel of The Athletic believes Nick Robertson's most likely scenario is for Toronto to trade him in the final stretch of the training camp.

Robertson, 24, signed a one-year contract extension for $1.825 million during the offseason, but he never had a fixed role guaranteed. "We saw a version of this play out last fall with Timothy Liljegren, another player who had been around a long time without ever quite nailing down a firm position within the organization," Siegel explained, comparing Robertson's situation with that of the now-San Jose Sharks player.

"This path feels all the more likely for Robertson if the Leafs get through the preseason with few to no injuries and (Craig) Berube finds a lineup he likes that doesn’t include Robertson," Siegel added.

Sharks, Blackhawks and Penguins emerge as potential suitors for Maple Leafs' Nick Robertson

The insider also said that teams like the Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins could be interested in the Pasadena native winger, but he acknowledged that it is difficult for a franchise to be willing to "take a flier" on Robertson at $1.825 million on the cap, with restricted free agency ahead next summer.

A few days ago, Robertson said in an interview for the Leafs' YouTube channel that he would do everything possible to earn a spot on the roster, explaining that, regardless of having signed only a one-year contract extension, his mindset is that of working hard and improving himself.

Robertson needs a defined role, and the Maple Leafs could benefit other prospects

This situation has exposed the Maple Leafs' difficulties in developing prospects. It happened with Liljegren and now with Robertson, so the front office should question its capacity to build a complete team. Signing players is indispensable, but developing young players should be more so, and the team needs to find a balance.

A trade would let Robertson relaunch his career, get more ice time and have a better-defined role. Staying in Toronto means more uncertainty. The winger would be a perfect signing for rebuilding teams that need offensive talent, like the Sharks or the Blackhawks, since he's a young player who comes from an elite team. It would be a bet with high potential and low cost.

For the Leafs, the financial flexibility would be minimal, but they have an overpopulation in offensive positions. They would free up space to give more opportunities to younger prospects, at least in a rotational role.