Nick Robertson

November 2023 – With five goals and 11 points in nine games to start his season in the AHL, Robertson has been called up to the Maple Leafs. Being deployed on the third line alongside Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok, Robertson has looked more comfortable than ever at the NHL level. Currently sitting at three points in three games, his call-up has helped boost a once-struggling bottom six. If he can stay healthy, this might finally be Robertson’s time to stay in the NHL permanently. Curtis Rines

October 2023 – After returning from injury, a lot of eyes were on Robertson at this year’s training camp. With a couple of jobs in the Leafs forward core up for grabs, Robertson was a front-runner to take one. Yet, even with what most will call a decent pre-season, the development of Fraser Minten along with Noah Gregor winning the fourth-line left wing job, Robertson was left with nowhere to go besides the minors. However, this may be a blessing in disguise for the 22-year-old winger. With the countless injuries he has dealt with over the past few years, he needs play time more than anything. Starting the year with the Marlies to get up to speed could get him back on track. We already know Sheldon Keefe is fond of Robertson, so with his waiver flexibility and previous NHL experience, he should be at the top of the call-up list if the Leafs need to bring a forward up at any time this season. Curtis Rines

January 2023 – As if it couldn’t get any worse for Nick Robertson, the Maple Leafs announced that he has had season-ending shoulder surgery and will be out for approximately six months. The 21-year-old winger will finish his season with 15 NHL games played and five points. Robertson remains a top prospect in the organization but his injury concerns only grow more worrisome as time progresses. Curtis Rines

October 2022 – Robertson had an outstanding preseason, finishing with eight points in five games for a share of second place in NHL preseason scoring. Unfortunately, a number of factors led to Robertson being assigned to the AHL to begin the season despite doing everything he could to earn a spot. Like many teams around the league, the Leafs are right up against the salary cap limit and don’t have the flexibility to carry extra skaters to begin the season. Compounding matters was the fact that Robertson did not have to pass through waivers, unlike his biggest competitor for a roster spot Denis Malgin. It is surely a tough pill to swallow for the 21-year-old sniper but his stellar preseason showing proved that he is ready for his next opportunity whenever it should arise. Nick Richard

May 2022 – A broken leg suffered in just the Marlies’ second game of the season derailed what was to be an important season for Robertson but he did his best to make up for lost time upon his return, finishing the AHL campaign with 16 goals and 12 assists in 28 games – good enough for the fourth best points per game mark among U21 AHL players who played at least 10 games. Robertson also earned a midseason look with the big club and despite playing mostly limited minutes, picked up his first career regular season goal in the NHL. Though he missed a significant portion of the season, he was still able to take a notable step forward in 2021-22 and should push for a regular lineup spot with the Leafs next fall. The Leafs will be looking to add secondary scoring lower in their lineup and Robertson could have the inside track on a roster spot, depending on what offseason moves the club makes up front. Nick Richard

October 2021 – After enduring an injury-riddled first professional season in 2020-21, Robertson’s string of bad luck continued into this season. After registering a pair of assists in the Marlies’ opening game of the campaign, he went down awkwardly in their second contest and suffered a fractured fibula. He is expected to miss at least eight weeks and will be playing catch-up with the rest of the league upon his return. Robertson was expected to push for a role with the Leafs as the year progressed but this latest setback could push his NHL arrival further down the line. Nick Richard

October 2021 – Robertson was a standout for the Leafs through development camp and the Traverse City Prospects Tournament but with a wealth of experienced options ahead of him on the depth chart, he was unable to crack Toronto’s opening night NHL roster. He has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies in the AHL where he will continue to round out his game in what will be his first full professional season. Nick Richard

April 2021 – Cleared to return from lower-body injury, Robertson spent 14 games with the AHL Marlies, putting up 3 goals and 10 points. He also put up over 2 SOG/game, which gave him a reasonable 8.3% shooting percentage (perhaps a bit more realistic than the 22% he put up in the OHL). He has since been called up to the Maple Leafs where his production is much less notable, in part due to his 8:30 aTOI. He is seeing some time on the PP2 unit but still only putting up 1 SOG/game with only 1 assist to show for it. Despite underwhelming numbers, he passes the eye test and looks like an NHL-ready bottom-six forward for the time being. For an undersized forward coming back from injury that is a good sign; hopefully more playing time and confidence will lead to more high-danger offense. He was briefly on the NHL Covid protocols list but quickly cleared. Hayden Soboleski

February 2021 – Robertson will be returning from injury shortly and has been loaned to the AHL to get back in game shape. With the Leafs playing well in his absence, there will be zero motivation to rush his recovery so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t see NHL action for a few weeks. The Marlies roster is relatively weak on top-end talent so he will be expected to play top-six minutes and spend time on PP1.  Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – In his first NHL game of the season, Robertson was injured in the first period and is out for approximately 4 weeks. The injury came on a standard check against the boards, but Robertson’s knee must have been impacted worse than it looked. He looked creative and dangerous in his couple of shifts prior to the injury, but this is obviously bad news and this hopefully does not turn into a recurring issue. Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – The Maple Leafs raised some eyebrows when they decided not to release Robertson to Team USA for the 2021 WJC. Instead, the youngster is quarantining in preparation to join NHL training camp. This is a promising sign that his NHL career will be starting full-time soon, and as a player who could play anywhere in the lineup, it will be fascinating to see how coaching staff chooses to use him. No matter where he starts, expect at least auditions in the top-six as his goal-scoring upside is unmatched among the options that aren’t already locked in. Hayden Soboleski

December 2020 – With both the NHL and OHL on hiatus for the time being, Robertson’s 2020-21 season has yet to begin. Still, the top prospect has been included on Team USA’s preliminary WJC roster where he would be expected to play a prominent role as one of the top goal-scorers among the invitees. Hopefully we see our first glimpse of Robertson in action since his Maples Leafs postseason audition. Hayden Soboleski

August 2020 – In Johnsson’s absence, Robertson secured a 3rd-line role with the Leafs within the playoffs/play-ins bubble and he is officially NHL-ready. He is fast enough to keep up, strong enough to handle battles on the boards, but most important his hard shot is on full display and he tallied his first goal in his third game. Like all rookies, he has room to improve his shot/pass selection and adapt to having less time to make moves than he was used to in junior, but earning that roster spot was the biggest step. His minutes are small for the time being, but barring any extreme gaffes its hard to imagine Robertson not being a Maple Leaf from now on. Hayden Soboleski

July 2020 – Robertson will be a member of the Maple Leafs’ expanded roster for the pandemic-adjusted 2020 play-in/playoffs. With winger Johnsson potentially still injured when play begins, he has a legitimate shot at an NHL try-out during the play-in series, and his results would strongly indicate whether or not he cracks the NHL roster next campaign. Once he grabs a spot, his talent level and cheap contract will be too enticing for the team to let go again so don’t get caught sleeping when he makes the jump. Hayden Soboleski

March 2020 – Are we over-updating this profile page? Maybe, but Robertson’s season has been nothing short of outstanding. His 55 goals in only 46 games led not just the OHL but all CHL leagues. Even more impressive is how lethal he is at even strength where 42 of those goals came. If the scoring itself  weren’t enough, he is averaging approximately 5 SOG/game and slightly under 1 PIM/game. He is a must-own fantasy commodity, however his age make him ineligible for the AHL so its NHL or back to the OHL in 2020-21. As a 5’9″, 161-lb forward he’ll have his work cut out for him, but others have succeeded and we’ve learned our lesson from doubting high-caliber players regardless of size. Hayden Soboleski

January 2020 – Robertson was among the to performers for Team USA as they were disappointingly eliminated in the quarterfinals.  He once again cemented the fact that he was a steal of a pick for Toronto at 53rd overall, and that he will surely be in the running for a pro roster spot next season (or earlier, should his OHL season end early enough to allow a tryout period). Hayden Soboleski

December 2019 – Surprising no one after such a hot start to the campaign, Robertson will represent Team USA at the WJC and projects to be an important piece on a competitive roster. His 23 goals in 22 OHL games is top-5 in league scoring and in early WJC competition he already has 3 points in 2 matchups. Teams are surely regretting passing on him in the 1st Round of the 2019 Entry Draft, and he should be considered a high-priced prospect in long-term fantasy leagues. Hayden Soboleski

October 2019 – Three updates in two months is rarely necessary, but Robertson’s amazing start to the season warrants it. He is among the OHL leaders in points and goals, currently sitting at 20 and 12, respectively. This includes (but isn’t overly inflated by) six powerplay points, where the Petes are clicking offensively thanks to him and fellow Leafs draft pick Semyon Der-Argunchintsev who are lighting it up together. Hayden Soboleski

September 2019 – That was quick. Following training camp, the Leafs have signed Robertson to a 3-year ELC. Hayden Soboleski

September 2019 – As expected, Robertson has been assigned to the OHL for the 2019-20 season after a very brief Leafs training camp appearance. He was not expected to last long, but last year’s effort by SDA that earned him a contract showed us that the Leafs can be persuaded to keep youngsters around if they can knock your socks off. Robertson is expected to have a big offensive year for the Petes in his third year with the squad, so be prepared for a potential big fantasy stock increase. Hayden Soboleski

June 2019 – Robertson has been drafted 53^rd overall by the Maple Leafs.  Jokke Nevalainen

June 2019 – Nicholas Robertson had a strong draft-eligible campaign by scoring 27 goals and 55 points in 53 games for Peterborough of the OHL. It was even more impressive when you consider he is just four days away from eligible for the 2020-class. He began his season by scoring four goals and five points in as many games for Canada at the U18 Ivan Hlinka tournament while showcasing his burgeoning all-around game. Robertson is a great skater who blends quick acceleration with quicker edges. He owns high-end puck skills, vision, and a developing release. Isn’t afraid to push into the hard scoring areas on the ice. There is a decent chance he’s still around on day two of the draft and will make several clubs regret passing on him. He’s primed for a monster D+1 in 2019-20. Cam Robinson