Maple Leafs Trade Nick Robertson To Metropolitan Division

The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally granted Nick Robertson his wish, and given him a fresh start. He's been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's a soft landing spot for the Leafs forward, who winds up with the GM that selected him for Toronto several years ago, Kyle Dubas. 

Hearing Toronto trading Nick Robertson to Pittsburgh

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2026

In return, the Leafs get a fourth-round draft pick. 

Robertson was a restricted free agent, and Toronto GM John Chayka obviously has other moves up his sleeve with which to use that money. He was projected to earn a two-year deal with a $3 million AAV, according to AFP Analytics.

The 24-year-old has been unhappy with his opportunities in Toronto, as he has never averaged more than the 12:40 TOI that he received this past season. But he is a sniper, and has slowly, gradually improved his goal scoring, from 14 to 15 to 16 over the past three years. He has been wanting a trade for years now.

It's the classic fresh start scenario, and he'll undoubtedly get far more run in Pittsburgh, and quite likely become a regular 20+ (or much more, perhaps) goal scorer with greater opportunity.

So a Robertson brother is indeed on the move in the NHL today, but Jason is still a Dallas Star. For now.