<p>Things are still looking bleak for a young talent staying in the Six.</p>



<p>During an appearance on <em>First Up </em>on <em>TSN 1050</em> on Tuesday, Chris Johnston of <em>The Athletic</em> gave an update on the current situation between the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Nick Robertson.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reporterchris</a> on the Leafs looking for a left winger, Robertson's future with the team &amp; if Swayman is looking for 10 million dollars AAV <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeafsForever</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vphj4tMjld">https://t.co/Vphj4tMjld</a></p>— First Up (@FirstUp1050) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstUp1050/status/1828404594134622354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<p>“At this stage,” Johnston explained. “Nick Robertson doesn’t seem inclined to sign in Toronto and is sticking to the idea that he’d like to play somewhere else.”</p>



<p>While it seems unlikely, Johnston believes Robertson could fit into the Maple Leafs’ lineup, if he decides to return to the team.</p>



<p>“There’s a pretty clear path for him to be part of the mix at left wing, to potentially have a role that exceeds what he’s had in the past … It ultimately makes a lot of sense–for him and the Leafs to end up together–but I just don’t know if that’s gonna happen.”</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="173"></div>



<p>The <em>TSN </em>insider also mentioned that there is a scenario where Robertson might change his mind as training camp nears.</p>



<p>“It really comes down to the player, ultimately. Does the player have the ability to stick to a trade request, or as it gets closer to camp, and if the Leafs decide to trade him, or they can’t find a move that makes sense, is it really going to sit out? I don’t know how Nick is going to respond to this situation.”</p>



<p>Johnston reported back in June that Robertson had informed the Maple Leafs <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/report-nick-robertson-doesnt-plan-on-re-signing-with-maple-leafs">he had no intention of re-signing</a> with the team. The 22-year-old is a restricted free agent, and has also asked Toronto to trade him.</p>



<p>Robertson is coming off his most productive season in the NHL. In 56 games, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points, all career highs. The 22-year-old also played nine games for the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="162"></div>



<p>The Pasadena, California native had only been with the Leafs since they took him in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. He made a notable splash during the 2020 postseason, but never found a consistent footing in the NHL. Robertson played just 15 games with the Leafs during the 2022-23 season, spending most of the campaign with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. </p>



<p>Over four seasons, Robertson has appeared in 87 NHL games, scoring 17 goals and 17 assists, posting a goal in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He has also played in 60 games in the AHL, notching 27 goals and 30 assists. He is coming off his entry-level contract, which saw him making $796,667 over the past three seasons. The restricted free agent’s qualifying offer would be $813,750.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="135"></div>
