Drama has once again found its way to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025 NHL offseason. Shortly after trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, another situation has come knocking on Toronto’s door. Now, a key teammate of Auston Matthews is looking to settle the score over his next contract.
Marner’s departure flung the door wide open for new faces to emerge and help compensate for the lost production in Toronto. The former fourth overall pick in 2015 has averaged more than a point per game since the 2018-19 NHL season. Few can replicate the 28-year-old’s efficiency and pace, but there won’t be a shortage of players hoping to rise to the occasion.
Matthews would surely welcome the rise of a new dynamic duo in Hogtown. The Maple Leafs’ goal machine has always needed someone on his wing to set him up—and more often than not, that playmaker was Marner. Now, the franchise captain is on the lookout for a new partner in crime.
Perhaps the answer to that problem is Nicholas Robertson. That is—of course—if the Maple Leafs can agree to terms on a new contract for the restricted free agent. On that note, Toronto is now entering a legal dispute with the 23-year-old.
Nicholas Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on October 9, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
As announced by the NHL Players’ Association, Robertson is one of 11 players in the league to elect salary arbitration amid contract negotiations with the team holding their signing rights.
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What’s next?
Marner’s exit has given players like Robertson added leverage in Toronto. With expectations for him to elevate his production next season, the former 2019 second-round pick has now opted to take his salary case to arbitration.
Despite electing a third party to determine fair compensation for the 2025-26 NHL season, Robertson and the Leafs can still continue negotiations to reach a settlement before the hearing.
Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs watches a flying puck in the warm-up prior to play against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic at BMO Field On January 1, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
“An arbitrator can only award a one or two-year contract for Robertson. Hearings for all 11 players announced for arbitration will run from July 20 to August 4,” as stated by The Hockey News.
Hands tied
If the Maple Leafs and Robertson can’t agree on a deal before the hearing begins in late July, then the NHL’s arbitrator will step in and listen to both sides before laying down the hammer with the proper compensation.
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Unless the awarded salary exceeds $4.85 million, Toronto will be obligated to sign Robertson to the new deal. If the final number comes in above that threshold, however, the Maple Leafs can choose to walk away, making Robertson an unrestricted free agent.
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The Maple Leafs would find themselves in quite a pickle if it came to that. After trading away Marner, the Leafs’ front office already drew criticism for its handling of the situation, and losing yet another key player this offseason would only add salt to the wound.
