With much of the pre-training camp talk in Toronto surrounding the future of forward Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski reported that Penguins GM, and former Leafs GM, Kyle Dubas "really likes Robertson."
Undoubtedly, since it was Dubas who selected Robertson 53rd overall for the Leafs in the 2019 NHL draft.
Dubas has also shown he's not afraid to pursue players he's had on his clubs in the past, having added
Noel Acciari and
Michael Bunting, former Leafs, to his roster in Pittsburgh.
Robertson, who has struggled to stay at the NHL level with the Leafs, partly due to injury, partly due to inconsistent play, informed the Leafs in the off-season that he wouldn't be reporting to camp and requested a trade. Leafs brass, meanwhile, have been relatively mum on Robertson's future, save for GM Brad Treliving stating that Robertson is important to the Leafs.
With a new head coach in Craig Berube, and the defection of gritty left winger
Tyler Bertuzzi, there seems to be an opportunity for Robertson to earn a spot with the Leafs this season, and should Dubas make a move for Robertson, it would likely be in the form of a trade as the Penguins seem unlikely to sign the restricted free agent to an offer sheet.
Robertson's best season came last season under head coach Sheldon Keefe, when he scored 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games, by far the most of his young NHL career.
