NHL training camps are set to open later this month and one of the biggest questions for the Toronto Maple Leafs is the status of restricted free agent Nick Robertson.
The 22-year-old is a restricted free agent. Despite camps opening soon, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the forward hasn’t backed away from his despite to be traded.
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“Well, the latest there is that I’m told that he still would prefer a change of address, but it’s been slow going on that file,” LeBrun told TSN Radio’s OverDrive show on Thursday. “He’s got a pretty powerful agent in Pat Brisson. But checking with a couple of different people involved today, he’s training back home and waiting for a resolution. But the process certainly hasn’t moved along as fast, I think, as his camp would like. So we’ll see where that goes.”
Robertson is a restricted free agent. Shortly after the Maple Leafs extended him a qualifying offer, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that Robertson made it clear he had no intention of signing with Toronto and requested a trade.
Related: Report: Nick Robertson Informs Maple Leafs He Will Not Re-Sign and Wishes to be Traded
Selected by the Maple Leafs in the second round (53rd) overall at the 2019 NHL Draft, Robertson’s tenure started with a high, making his NHL debut in the 2020 NHL playoffs before injuries and roster limitations slowed his development.
During the 2023-24 season, Robertson appeared to break through, finding himself in a stretch where he played regularly on a third line. But salary-cap management saw the player spend 10 days off the roster, to which the player voiced his displeasure about the situation.
Shortly after Robertson’s trade request was made public, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke with reporters following the NHL free agency.
“I obviously have known that there was some frustration with Nick on his behalf,” Treliving said. “We look at Nick as an excellent player and there’s a great opportunity for Nick here and we need him to be a good player for us.”
When will the Robertson situation get resolved?
Being a restricted free agent gives Robertson little…