Leafs trade Robertson to Penguins on Canada Day
Forward Nick Robertson heads to Pittsburgh for a fourth-round pick as Toronto's GM makes opening move before free agency.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't wait for free agency to open Wednesday before making their first move of the offseason. GM John Chayka traded forward Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick on July 1, 2026.
Robertson, 24, was drafted 53rd overall by Toronto in 2019 and is the younger brother of Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson. He struggled to meet early expectations with the Leafs, bouncing between the AHL and NHL for years before becoming a full-time player in 2024-25.
Last season, Robertson appeared in 78 games with Toronto, posting career highs of 16 goals, 16 assists, and 32 points. He was set to become a restricted free agent this summer after signing a one-year contract worth $1.825 million last August.
The trade signals Chayka's willingness to reshape the roster as the team pursues bigger targets ahead of the official start of free agency.
