Maple Leafs Trade Nicholas Robertson to Penguins For 4th-Round Pick

With the opening of NHL free agency, it was John Chayka and the Toronto Maple Leafs making another transaction, trading forward Nicholas Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2028.

Robertson, a restricted free agent, is coming off a career-year offensively with 16 goals and 32 points in 78 games with the Maple Leafs last season. Over parts of six seasons with the Maple Leafs, he had 48 goals and 88 points in 234 career regular season games while not really becoming a regular in their lineup until the last three seasons.

The 24-year-old Robertson has been a trade chip for the Maple Leafs for a few seasons now, with contract talks not always going smoothly between the two sides, rumours of him wanting out even circulating at one point before a contract got done.

A second-round pick in 2019, Robertson will return to the general manager – Kyle Dubas – who first landed him with the Maple Leafs. Looking to take the next step in his overall development, the new start could be just what Robertson needs.

As for the Maple Leafs, they acquire more draft capital in 2028 with the fourth-round selection. While some aren’t quite happy with the return, the move leaves more room for the Maple Leafs as they head into free agency ahead of the 2026-27 season.