Nick Robertson is reuniting with Kyle Dubas after the Maple Leafs traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
On Wednesday, the Maple Leafs' first domino fell as the team sent Nick Robertson, a pending RFA, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
The news was originally broken by Pierre LeBrun, with Elliotte Friedman coming through with the return package from the Penguins:
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Robertson will get a fresh start after a few tumultuous years in Toronto that included a trade request and questions about his fit and potential after a lot of hype.
Last season was a career year for Robertson, as he had 32 points in 78 games including 16 goals. He was arbitration eligible this summer and it looks like Toronto did not want to deal with a potential big payday for someone they didn't necessarily envision long-term.
Kyle Dubas gives Nick Robertson the chance he never had in Toronto
Leave it to Kyle Dubas to be the one to bring Robertson is. He drafted him 53rd overall in 2019 and though he had some glimpses of brilliance, he was never able to solidify himself in a top-six role. The Penguins will need some new blood in their lineup while getting younger and saving some money, and Robertson allows them to do so.
Robertson has only 88 points though in his 234 career games which averages out to 0.38 PPG, a huge drop-off from what was expected of him, and a far cry from his 1.07 PPG average he had with the Peterborough Petes.
The reason he was drafted was for being a dynamic offensive threat with speed and hands, but never translated that to the NHL level in full.
Perhaps being in a new environment and away from the spotlight in Toronto will do him good, but he still needs to prove himself on the ice. It's going to be tough to see him turn out to be a solid player if he turns it around in Pittsburgh but he had no place anymore after years of trying.
More details to come.
Are you sad to see Nick Robertson leave the Maple Leafs?
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