Nick Robertson was one of the top names to keep an eye on heading into the 2024-25 season. He had formally requested a trade over the summer, citing limited ice time and a lack of opportunity under then-head coach Sheldon Keefe, but in the most respectful way possible, Treliving essentially said ‘no thanks’.

Robertson, 23, finally played a full season of pro hockey in 2023-24 after suffering three serious injuries, one in each of his past three seasons until last year. He displayed signs of goal-scoring ability, with 14 markers and 27 points in 56 games, but had trouble with consistency all season and routinely found himself shuffled up and down the lineup. It was a frustrating season that saw him pretty well out of the lineup by the time the playoffs rolled around, setting in stone that he wanted a fresh start elsewhere, but with a new head coach coming in and the Maple Leafs needing forward depth more than ever, Treliving wasn’t so quick to honour the request.

With Robertson needing a new contract in addition to his trade request, he initially held out of the start of training camp in hopes that the Maple Leafs would honour this request, but eventually, the two sides came to a deal.

The 2024-25 season started the same way the 2023-24 season ended. Robertson made clear attempts to adjust his game to a style that Berube would be pleased with if he wasn’t scoring goals, and to his credit, it worked. While he has been scratched every now and then, he’s played the majority of the team’s games this year and his new coach has had some good things to say about him.

“I think that Nicky (Robertson) has put himself in some real good spots to get the puck in the net,” Berube told media in November. “The puck has just bounced a bit, or it hasn’t been clean enough, but, you know, he’s working, he’s getting into those areas, and getting those opportunities. I think it’s a little bit of luck not going his way right now. But he’s working, and he’s skating, doing some things to get himself in those positions to get those opportunities.”

Robertson’s four goals and six points in 25 games aren’t flattering, but from a recency bias standpoint, he seems to have found a home he’s comfortable with on the third line with Max Domi and Bobby McMann. All three players scored on Wednesday night in Dallas, and it marked the second game in a row that Robertson and Domi each had a goal.

Robertson is playing with all the odds against him, struggling to find this offence during a month-long period when the Leafs battled injuries up and down their forward group, but with the roster almost back at full health and the 2019 second-rounder starting to find his touch, it seems as though he’s recognized the gravity of the situation if he doesn’t produce. And now his coach can see what he’s capable of when he’s hot. It’s just a matter of if he can keep it up and avoid those streaks of 10-15 games without a goal.

From December 26th to 29th, we’re dropping our biggest sale of the year—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. Here’s the lineup: 20% off all gear—yes, all gear. Hoodies, tees, hats—whatever you need to rep your team in style. Plus, free shipping on orders over $200, so you’re saving on both gear and delivery. This is your chance to stock up and save big while looking sharp in the best gear out there. But don’t wait—when this sale ends, it’s game over. Head over to nationgear.ca right now to take advantage of these deals. Gear up. Save big.