Nick Robertson's Arbitration Date Officially Set as Maple Leafs Face Big Roster Decision
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs restricted free agent Nick Robertson has had his arbitration date set as he looks for a new contract heading into the 2025-26 season.
According to NHL salary cap site PuckPedia, the dates for the remaining restricted free agents who are going to go to arbitration has been set.
Of the 11 players who filed, seven remain unsigned with Toronto's Nick Robertson one of them.
The dates were announced via PuckPedia's X page as well with Robertson's date has been finalized and the hearing will take place on August 3rd.
Arbitration comes with their own set of rules, as the site lays out clearly:
Once a player files for arbitration, they are no longer eligible for an offer sheet. Players and teams can settle their arbitration case up until the hearing begins. Hearings will be scheduled from July 20 to Aug 4.
Teams have a window to file for arbitration for 24 hours, ending at 5pm on July 6.
For teams that had a player file for arbitration, they will have a second buyout window open up for 48 hours 3 days after the final arbitration case is either settled or awarded.
Teams have a window to file for arbitration for 24 hours, ending at 5pm on July 6.
For teams that had a player file for arbitration, they will have a second buyout window open up for 48 hours 3 days after the final arbitration case is either settled or awarded.
Where in the world does Nick Robertson end up playing?
That's a small positive that Robertson couldn't be lured away, but it also brings in a huge issue for the Maple Leafs, that being where he'll fit with this new-look roster.
There's no denying that Robertson has the talent necessary to help the team, but given they are clearly headed in a tougher, grittier direction; can he adjust his game enough?
We saw him do so towards the end of last season and become more of a scrappier part of the team instead of a finesse based scorer only. He became less one dimensional, but there's still the issue of where he'll play.
The top-six isn't going to have Robertson, it's going to be Max Domi if anything who jumps the line to play with Auston Matthews. Matias Maccelli should be locked to the second line wing.
The third line realistically should be Dakota Joshua, Nic Roy, and Bobby McMann; a nasty, gritty, and surprisingly potent trio. Rounding things off you'll have Michael Pezzetta, Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz on the last line as your physical and mean group.
Where does that leave Robertson? A depth forward? We've already seen him ask to be traded before due to his lack of playing time, and being the 13th guy on the team is going to do nothing but hinder his progress and attitude towards the team.
So either he's going to win his case, give Toronto less to work with cap wise, and still end up a healthy scratch; or loses and feels even more resentment.
Either way you look at it, Nick Robertson may need a fresh start elsewhere.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 2080 ANSWERS Nick Robertson's Arbitration Date Officially Set as Maple Leafs Face Big Roster Decision Do you think Nick Robertson will win his arbitration case? | ||
| Yes | 1292 | 62.1 % |
| No | 788 | 37.9 % |
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