Nicholas Robertson’s story begins in the Ontario Hockey League with the Peterborough Petes, who selected him 16th overall in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. After a modest 15-goal, 33-point season in 2017-18, Robertson exploded in 2019-20, notching 55 goals and 86 points in just 46 games. That kind of scoring burst made him one of the most dangerous goal-scorers in junior hockey and put him firmly on the NHL radar.
A Look at Maple Leaf Nick Robertson’s Stats and Beyond
In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Toronto used its second-round pick (53rd overall) to select Robertson. He signed his entry-level contract shortly thereafter and soon made his NHL debut in the 2020 playoff qualifying rounds, becoming one of the youngest Leafs ever to record a post-season goal. His junior years showcased elite shot volume, fearlessness in front of the net, and a goal-scoring instinct that still stands as his strength today.
Development, Setbacks, and Progress
Robertson’s path to becoming a full-time NHL forward has been anything but seamless. Injuries repeatedly stalled momentum. Shoulder surgery, a broken leg, and other interruptions kept him bouncing between the AHL and NHL. But with each return, he brought stronger habits. He now has better skating, improved puck-management, and a more-willing defensive game.
In the AHL with the Leafs’ affiliate, the Marlies, he showed he could dominate at that level. Additionally, he learned how to apply pressure aside from just shooting. That transition started paying dividends in Toronto. In 2023-24, he played 56 games, scored 14 goals and added 13 assists for 27 points. In 2024-25, he moved up to 69 games, with 15 goals and 22 points. It was his most sustained body of NHL work yet. The progress has been clear for him. Robertson went from a high-end prospect to a player who earns nightly NHL shifts. It has long been thought that sometimes scorers in junior need to adapt their game, and that is what Robertson has done.
Fit with the Leafs and Current Role
For Toronto, Robertson now fills a vital role. He is a younger, high-skill winger who provides goal-scoring depth beneath the top-line stars. He isn’t asked to steal games yet, but when deployed in the bottom six, he brings a different dynamic, including pace, finishing, and threat. For example, in games where Robertson is shooting, he has stayed engaged in high-danger areas, and he’s rewarded with goals and shifts in the top nine.
On the Leafs’ lineup chart, Robertson is best suited as a third-line winger with occasional upgrades to the second line and the second power play unit when needed. His value lies in being cost-controlled, youthful and talented, something Toronto needs as it balances stars and depth in a cap-tight environment.
The latest one-year deal Robertson signed, that was for $1.825 million in August 2025, confirms Toronto believes in his upside. However, it also signals a proving-ground season. With new head coach Craig Berube emphasizing structure and competition at camp, Robertson’s margin for error is slimmer than ever.
Why He Matters and What He Needs to Prove
Robertson matters because he offers something Toronto has sometimes lacked in recent times. His secondary scoring that doesn’t require the top line to shoulder all the weight. When he is engaged, the team’s possession improves, rush opportunities increase, and stars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander get more breathing room.
But to cement his place, Robertson must show consistency, durability, and a fuller 200-foot game. He needs to stay engaged even when he’s not shooting, limit turnovers, and continue to battle physically in the small areas of the rink. Toronto’s playoff aspirations mean every forward must contribute away from the offence as much as on it.
If Robertson can combine his scoring instincts with improved defensive detail and regular shifts, he stands to solidify a long-term top-nine or even top-six role in Toronto’s lineup.
Final Thoughts
Nick Robertson’s climb from a junior goal-machine to an NHL contributor is well underway. His scoring skill is real, and his development suggests he’s more than just “potential.” For the Maple Leafs, he is a high-upside piece in a deeper, tougher team. Now, the tool-refining and trust-earning phase is in full swing. In contrast, if he takes that next step, Robertson could become a difference-maker, not just an option.
Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY
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