Nick Robertson Finally Holds Leverage Over the Maple Leafs for the First Time in His Career
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Nick Robertson finally has leverage in Toronto, and with arbitration looming, he's in position to take control of his Maple Leafs future.
With an arbitration deadline set for August 3rd Nick Robertson, the last unsigned player of the arbitration eligibles, is set to get his final ruling that could become a major benefit in deciding his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The decision could allow for him to finally make the best money of his career, never having madeover $1M in a season, something that could change now.
After a season in which Robertson had a respectable 15 goals and 22 points, Robertson appears due for a pay increase, and is ready to get his pay.
Not only does it help plan out his future, but also allows him to get clarity on how the Toronto Maple Leafs view him in their plans, and allows him to evaluate if he feels he's in those plans.
If it appears Toronto doesn't see the value in Robertson to be a full-time NHLer, he could request a trade and find a team that will give him the minutes he desires that Toronto either can't or won't.
Arbitration Shifts the Power in Robertson's Favor
For once, the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't guaranteed to be in full control over Nick Robertson's future, and it could become a massive shift for the team.
It's not known what arbitration will look like for the Toronto Maple Leafs and what Robertson's demands are, but they must be far apart from Toronto's estimation as Robertson is the last arbitration case left unsettled.
Ultimately, if the two sides cannot agree on a deal, the contract for Robertson will decided by an arbiter, and be the setting stone for Robertson's contract.
A deal doesn't mean that Robertson stays a Toronto Maple Leaf either. The Leafs could sign Robertson and then deal him, especially if they're not happy with his contract or don't see the value in him long-term.
Without an agreement on numbers, Toronto will just have to wait it out and see how they feel about what comes of Robertson's contract, and if they can live with that.
Leafs Risk Repeating Costly Mistake from Samsonov Arbitration
The Toronto Maple Leafs will want to learn from past mistakes on what not to do in an arbitration case.
In 2023, the Leafs waited on goaltender Ilya Samsonov, filing a deal at $2.5M and Samsonov's team at $4.9M. Ultimately, an arbiter decided on Samsonov's contract number at $3.55M for that season.
Samsonov was coming off a dominant season with Toronto in 2022-23, having a 2.13GAA and a .913SV% in 42 games.
Despite what were solid numbers, the Leafs did not budge from their number and were justified as Samsonov regressed next season, ultimately signing with the Vegas Golden Knights at $1.8M annually.
If the Leafs trusted that one season based on stats alone to dictate their decision, they would have had a lot more disappointment from how Samsonov paid, and ultimately were right to keep firm.
Despite Robertson's talent, he's struggled to secure a full-time roster spot from start to finish, having been benched in the postseason, including in the pivotal Game 7 against Florida despite scoring the Leafs lone goal the match prior.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs don't have enough faith in Nick Robertson to match the contract he desires, they need to remain firm with Robertson, but will have to wait for the moment they have leverage again to do so.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 31 | 1192 ANSWERS Nick Robertson Finally Holds Leverage Over the Maple Leafs for the First Time in His Career Is Nick Robertson worthy of a top-nine roster spot in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 716 | 60.1 % |
| No | 476 | 39.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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