The Pittsburgh Penguins aimed to make a postseason run in the 2023-24 season after missing the playoffs in 2023. However, they fell short of expectations and couldn’t secure a playoff berth.
Despite a late-season push, the Penguins missed the playoffs and now face a decision: to either rebuild for the post-Sidney Crosby era or give their longtime captain another shot at winning a Cup. Recent moves suggest they are opting for the latter. Last season, they added veterans like defensemen Ryan Graves and Erik Karlsson, and forward Lars Eller. This offseason, Pittsburgh signed veteran Kevin Hayes.
However, the franchise can still look to add younger players who can contribute both now and in the future. According to Tristin McKinstry of Clutch Points, a potential trade target could be Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson. The forward just completed his entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs and became a restricted free agent on July 1. As of July 15, he remains unsigned.
### Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Drafted Nick Robertson in Toronto
Kyle Dubas, now the president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, was named GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs in May 2018 and left for Pittsburgh in 2023. Nick Robertson was one of Dubas’ first draft picks with Toronto, selected at No. 53 in the 2019 NHL draft from the OHL.
Tristin McKinstry of Clutch Points suggests that the pre-existing relationship between Dubas and Robertson could ease a potential reunion.
“One of [the] more notable moves the Penguins made last summer didn’t involve a player. Rather, it was a change in their front office structure. Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas joined Pittsburgh after his contract expired,” McKinstry wrote. “He spent multiple years in Toronto as their front office decision maker. And one decision he made was to draft forward Nicholas Robertson in 2019.
“Perhaps Dubas can bring out the potential he saw in the former Peterborough Petes star back during the 2019 NHL Draft.”
Robertson has played 87 regular-season games since his debut in the 2020-21 season, scoring 17 goals and assisting 17 times for a total of 34 points. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists in 56 games but failed to record a point in six playoff games.
Sources indicate that RFA Nick Robertson does not plan to re-sign with the Maple Leafs this summer and has requested a trade. McKinstry points out that Robertson’s struggles in Toronto, including injuries, suggest he could benefit from a fresh start.
“Robertson has not had the easiest time in professional hockey (…) He has struggled with injuries since turning pro,” McKinstry wrote. “[Robertson’s stats] aren’t eye-popping numbers from the 22-year-old. But they suggest that he can provide some value to a team if he receives a role in the NHL. Robertson has requested a trade from the Maple Leafs this summer.”