Nick Robertson's Maple Leafs Future May Hinge on One Key Offseason Addition

There's a lot of discussion about who the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to bring in to help out their top-six, and how their lineup is going to adjust with the new pieces brought in.

But there are players who are expected to bring assistance to the team who aren't new to the system, and it'll be up to guys like Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson to pick up the slack in the wake of Mitch Marner's departure.

Speaking of Robertson, he's been a polarizing figure given his numbers trade requests, inconsistent play, and lack of living up to expectations. Though he's going to be a part of the team this season, there's questions to where he fits.

Some analysts believe he doesn't, though NHL Insider Chris Johnston believes that the Leafs will likely hold onto him.

However, he may be due for a breakout season but only due to one critical factor: Nicolas Roy.

Roy, the center acquired in the deal sending Marner to Vegas in a sign and trade, is definitively the team's 3C and is a fantastic two-way player who while slow; can skate forever and has high IQ with transitional offense.

He's also the type of player Toronto's never had on their third line really, with Max Domi taking over center duties.

With him, Robertson never had a reliable and consistent performer, and certainly had to think more about defense than he should have, and it hurt his offense.

Not to speak negatively on Robertson, but he isn't necessarily the most savvy defensive forward, and while he shows a lot of heart and grew in his new role under Craig Berube; he's offensively minded first and foremost.

Roy had been relegated to 4C duties in Vegas, but is expected to break out and become more offensive in Toronto, and if he can generate more chances for Robertson, it can only lead to good things.

So if Robertson doesn't need to worry about playing defense, and has Roy and McMann to add physicality and defense, it may lead to him finding more consistency.

That seems to be the biggest concern in Robertson's time with Toronto, but all signs point to things changing come 2025-26.