Nick Robertson lands early before 2025 NHL trade deadline

The The Toronto Maple Leafs have faced rumors of a Nick Robertson trade all out of season. Robertson even requested a trade at the beginning of the off-season ahead of NHL Free Agency. However, the trade never took place. Robertson signed a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs. However, all that contract really did was kick the can.

The Maple Leafs are still looking to move Robertson despite signing him in the offseason. Robertson is a pending restricted free agentso he comes as a low-risk, long-term option in the trading market. And he’s coming off the best season of his career to date. However, this is not entirely simple.

Robertson is not producing at the same level as in 2023-24. He is on course to drop from 14 goals in 56 games to 13 goals in 74 games in 2024-25. This is despite a slight increase in ice time under new head coach Craig Berube.

Robertson has some potential at 23 years old. There is a chance that he will find himself in the NHL. However, it’s clear at this point that he won’t make it in Toronto. It just doesn’t work, and it’s best for both parties to move on.

There could be several teams interested in Nick Robertson as trade activity picks up again in the NHL. And there are a few teams that serve as interesting pairings. With that in mind, here are two early landing spots for the Maple Leafs winger ahead of 2025. NHL Trade Deadline.

Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson could be reunited with Devils’ Sheldon Keefe

Nick Robertson has a new head coach in Berube behind the bench in Toronto. The previous coach he played for was Sheldon Keefe. Keefe led the Maple Leafs to their first playoff series win since 2004. 2023 Now, Keefe is the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils have been linked to a number of attackers ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline, New Jersey is looking to add depth to its lineup and add some balance to the offense. They are likely looking to add a veteran wing with some experience to the roster. But if the acquisition price is low, a trade for Robertson with the Maple Leafs certainly cannot be ruled out.

Robertson had the best season of his career under Keefe’s watch. He may not reach those heights in 2024-25, but he could still prove to be a valuable player. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see New Jersey take a chance on the Maple Leafs forward at the 2025 NHL trade deadline.

The Kraken have taken flyers on wingers before

The Seattle Kraken they are not foreign land reclamation projects. The most prominent example is Eeli Tolvanen. Tolvanen, a former first-round pick of the Nashville Predators, was claimed off waivers by the Kraken in 2022-23. Tolvanen still hasn’t played like a star in the NHL, and he’s struggling a bit in 2024-25. But he scored 16 goals and 41 points in 2023-24.

Seattle recently took another flier on another former first-round winger. The Kraken acquired Kaapo Kakka in a trade with the New York Rangers about a month ago. So far, the bet has proved successful. Kakko has three goals and eight points in his first 11 games with the Kraken. By comparison, he has four goals and 14 points in 30 games with the Rangers before the deal.

Nick Robertson could be the next wing for the Kraken to tackle. The Maple Leafs are unlikely to ask for much in a trade. In fact, the two teams could agree on a “hockey trade.” Maybe veteran center Ianni Gourde is headed to the Maple Leafs in a trade including Robertson.

Whatever the trade looks like, it’s not the point. Robertson needs a change of scenery, and the Kraken can develop understated wings. Overall, the fit makes sense for both parties.